Jerome Kersey
Encyclopedia
Jerome Kersey is a retired American
professional basketball
player in the National Basketball Association
for a number of teams, but most notably for the Portland Trail Blazers
. He also has served in various coaching roles in the NBA. Kersey is currently a resident of Happy Valley, Oregon
in Altamont/Mt. Scott area, a suburb of Portland.
, at the time a NCAA Division II school, where he set school records for points, rebounds, steals and blocked shots while making 57% of his baskets. As a senior, his rebounding average of 14.2 led all Division II players. However, it was not until May 2006 that Kersey graduated from Longwood, having only needed two more college courses to graduate, for some years.
(46th overall pick) by Portland. He was a regular contributor from the bench, eventually becoming a starter, and by his third year, he began to shine, even coming in second behind Michael Jordan
in the NBA Slam-Dunk Competition.
The following season, 1987–88, was his best statistically, as he averaged 19.2 points and 8.3 rebounds. He became a starter and was part of the nucleus of a strong Portland team, along with Clyde Drexler
, Terry Porter
, Buck Williams
, and Kevin Duckworth
that made it to the NBA Finals two out of the next three years (in 1990 and 1992). However, in subsequent years Clifford Robinson
would take his place and Kersey found himself spending more time on the bench. Despite the demotion, the Portland Trail Blazers continued to respect Kersey for his effort and energy whenever he was on the court.
By 1995, Portland had a glut of forwards, and he was left unprotected in that year's expansion draft, when he was selected by the Toronto Raptors
, but they waived him before the 1995/96 season began. He signed on with the Golden State Warriors
, where he started 58 games. At the end of that calendar year, he signed with the Los Angeles Lakers
as a free agent, and he had a quite productive year, logging his most playing time in five seasons - because trades and injuries had left the Lakers thin. The following season (1997–98) saw him go to his fourth team in four years, but injuries kept him out of the Seattle SuperSonics
' lineup for most of the season.
This nomadic trend continued, and for the lockout
-shortened 1998–99 season, he found himself on the San Antonio Spurs
, providing front-court depth and experience off the bench in the team's title run, although his scoring, rebounding, and minutes played were all career lows. He stayed with the Spurs for another season, and spent one final season in the NBA with the Milwaukee Bucks
, retiring at the end of the 2000–01 season.
As a Portland Trail Blazer, Kersey was near the top in many of Portland's career categories at the time of his leaving, including games played (second), minutes played (third), scoring (third), rebounding (second), assists (sixth), steals (third), field goals made (fourth), and blocked shots (second).
Since his retirement in 2001, Kersey has served as a coach in various capacities for several teams. For a short time, Kersey worked for Wells Fargo home mortgages. During the 2003-04 NBA season
, Kersey was hired by the Trail Blazers to serve as director of player programs. After a season in that capacity, Kersey was hired as an assistant coach by the Milwaukee Bucks
, where he served under his former Portland teammate, head coach Terry Porter
. He served with the Bucks for one year, but was let go (along with Mike Schuler
, who coached both Kersey and Porter while in Portland) on May 6, 2005. Porter was subsequently fired as the Bucks' coach later that year. For a period of time following, Kersey joined the automotive industry as an auto wholesaler.
In November 2005, Kersey was in Longwood's first Hall of Fame class. Others included baseball player Michael Tucker
and LPGA golfer Tina Barrett
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player in the National Basketball Association
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
for a number of teams, but most notably for the Portland Trail Blazers
Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers, commonly known as the Blazers, are an American professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The Trail Blazers originally played their home games in the...
. He also has served in various coaching roles in the NBA. Kersey is currently a resident of Happy Valley, Oregon
Happy Valley, Oregon
Happy Valley is a city in Clackamas County, Oregon, United States. The population was 4,519 at the 2000 census.-History:Happy Valley was originally called Christilla Valley, named after the first residents, Christian and Matilda Deardorff. They arrived in 1851 and claimed on the floor of the...
in Altamont/Mt. Scott area, a suburb of Portland.
College career
Kersey attended the then Longwood CollegeLongwood University
Longwood University is a four-year public, liberal-arts university located in Farmville, Virginia, United States. It was founded in 1839 and became a university on July 1, 2002...
, at the time a NCAA Division II school, where he set school records for points, rebounds, steals and blocked shots while making 57% of his baskets. As a senior, his rebounding average of 14.2 led all Division II players. However, it was not until May 2006 that Kersey graduated from Longwood, having only needed two more college courses to graduate, for some years.
NBA
Coming from a school that was not known as a basketball powerhouse, Kersey was selected in the second round of the 1984 NBA Draft1984 NBA Draft
The 1984 NBA Draft was the 38th annual draft of the National Basketball Association . The draft was held at the Felt Forum at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York on June 19, 1984 before the 1984–85 season. The draft was broadcast in the United States on the USA Network. In this draft,...
(46th overall pick) by Portland. He was a regular contributor from the bench, eventually becoming a starter, and by his third year, he began to shine, even coming in second behind Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan
Michael Jeffrey Jordan is a former American professional basketball player, active entrepreneur, and majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats...
in the NBA Slam-Dunk Competition.
The following season, 1987–88, was his best statistically, as he averaged 19.2 points and 8.3 rebounds. He became a starter and was part of the nucleus of a strong Portland team, along with Clyde Drexler
Clyde Drexler
Clyde Austin "Clyde The Glide" Drexler is a former National Basketball Association shooting guard and small forward. A ten-time All-Star and member of the Basketball Hall of Fame, the NBA named him one of basketball's fifty greatest players as of 1996. Drexler won an Olympic gold medal in 1992 and...
, Terry Porter
Terry Porter
Terry Porter is an American professional basketball coach and former player in the National Basketball Association . A native of Wisconsin, he played college basketball at the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point before being drafted 24th by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 1985 NBA Draft...
, Buck Williams
Buck Williams
Charles Linwood Williams , better known as "Buck", is a retired American professional basketball player and current assistant coach for the Portland Trail Blazers. He was well known for his rebounding ability and trademark goggles.Williams, 6 ft 8 in , ranks 13th all-time in NBA career rebounds...
, and Kevin Duckworth
Kevin Duckworth
Kevin Jerome Duckworth was an American professional basketball player at center in the National Basketball Association. A native of Illinois, he played college basketball at Eastern Illinois University before being drafted in 1986 in the second round by the San Antonio Spurs...
that made it to the NBA Finals two out of the next three years (in 1990 and 1992). However, in subsequent years Clifford Robinson
Clifford R. Robinson
Clifford "Cliff" Ralph Robinson is a former American professional basketball player, formerly of the National Basketball Association.-Highlights:...
would take his place and Kersey found himself spending more time on the bench. Despite the demotion, the Portland Trail Blazers continued to respect Kersey for his effort and energy whenever he was on the court.
By 1995, Portland had a glut of forwards, and he was left unprotected in that year's expansion draft, when he was selected by the Toronto Raptors
Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors are a professional basketball team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1995, along with the Vancouver Grizzlies, as part of the NBA's re-expansion...
, but they waived him before the 1995/96 season began. He signed on with the Golden State Warriors
Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors are an American professional basketball team based in Oakland, California. They are part of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
, where he started 58 games. At the end of that calendar year, he signed with the Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
as a free agent, and he had a quite productive year, logging his most playing time in five seasons - because trades and injuries had left the Lakers thin. The following season (1997–98) saw him go to his fourth team in four years, but injuries kept him out of the Seattle SuperSonics
Seattle SuperSonics
The Seattle SuperSonics were an American professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington that played in the Pacific and Northwest Divisions of the National Basketball Association from 1967 until 2008. Following the 2007–08 season, the team relocated to Oklahoma City, and now plays as...
' lineup for most of the season.
This nomadic trend continued, and for the lockout
Lockout (industry)
A lockout is a work stoppage in which an employer prevents employees from working. This is different from a strike, in which employees refuse to work.- Causes :...
-shortened 1998–99 season, he found himself on the San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. They are part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association ....
, providing front-court depth and experience off the bench in the team's title run, although his scoring, rebounding, and minutes played were all career lows. He stayed with the Spurs for another season, and spent one final season in the NBA with the Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks are a professional basketball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. They are part of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1968 as an expansion team, and currently plays at the Bradley Center....
, retiring at the end of the 2000–01 season.
As a Portland Trail Blazer, Kersey was near the top in many of Portland's career categories at the time of his leaving, including games played (second), minutes played (third), scoring (third), rebounding (second), assists (sixth), steals (third), field goals made (fourth), and blocked shots (second).
Since his retirement in 2001, Kersey has served as a coach in various capacities for several teams. For a short time, Kersey worked for Wells Fargo home mortgages. During the 2003-04 NBA season
2003-04 NBA season
-Statistics leaders:-Yearly awards:*Most Valuable Player: Kevin Garnett, Minnesota Timberwolves*Rookie of the Year: LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers*Defensive Player of the Year: Ron Artest, Indiana Pacers...
, Kersey was hired by the Trail Blazers to serve as director of player programs. After a season in that capacity, Kersey was hired as an assistant coach by the Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks are a professional basketball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. They are part of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1968 as an expansion team, and currently plays at the Bradley Center....
, where he served under his former Portland teammate, head coach Terry Porter
Terry Porter
Terry Porter is an American professional basketball coach and former player in the National Basketball Association . A native of Wisconsin, he played college basketball at the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point before being drafted 24th by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 1985 NBA Draft...
. He served with the Bucks for one year, but was let go (along with Mike Schuler
Mike Schuler
Mike Schuler is a former head coach in the National Basketball Association. He coached the Portland Trail Blazers and Los Angeles Clippers in 338 games, and compiled a win-loss record of 179–159.In his first year as coach of the Trail Blazers, Schuler led the team to a 49–33 record, winning the...
, who coached both Kersey and Porter while in Portland) on May 6, 2005. Porter was subsequently fired as the Bucks' coach later that year. For a period of time following, Kersey joined the automotive industry as an auto wholesaler.
In November 2005, Kersey was in Longwood's first Hall of Fame class. Others included baseball player Michael Tucker
Michael Tucker (baseball player)
Michael Anthony Tucker is a 1st Baseman for the independent Southern Maryland Blue Crabs organization. Tucker played with the Kansas City Royals , Atlanta Braves , Cincinnati Reds , Chicago Cubs , San Francisco Giants , Philadelphia Phillies , and New York Mets . He batted left-handed and threw...
and LPGA golfer Tina Barrett
Tina Barrett (golfer)
Christina "Tina" Barrett is an American professional golfer who played on the LPGA Tour.Barrett won once on the LPGA Tour in 1989.-LPGA Tour wins :-External links:...
.