Spring Break
Column: One last honor for Duckworth
Kevin Murphy / Sports Editor
Issue date: 2/2/09 Section: Sports
Kevin Duckworth never earned All-State recognition while playing basketball in high school.
But CBS Sports came to Charleston and labeled him as the nation's most underrated player.
On Saturday night in Lantz Arena, Duckworth had full attention.
Duckworth, a former Eastern and Portland Trail Blazer center, died in August at the age of 44 after suffering a congestive heart failure. He was honored at halftime of the men's basketball game against Jacksonville State.
He was honored with a plaque with his jersey, No. 00, and a men's basketball scholarship was honored in his name.
This season the Eastern men's basketball team has worn a black ribbon with No. 00 on it to honor the former star.
According to KATU.com, Duckworth is getting a permanent honor along the Willamette River in Portland, Ore. A floating platform currently known as the Convention Center Dock will be renamed in his honor. The dock will be the Kevin J. Duckworth Memorial Dock.
All of these honors and memorials are for a good reason - it's Duckworth.
He is Eastern's most recognizable name in the NBA, and as former Eastern head coach Rick Samuels said, Duckworth legitimized Eastern as a Division I team.
While his mother, Maxine, said she struggled to say the words on Saturday night, she seemed to find them.
"I am honored and feel privileged," she said. "He lived the good life. I knew it all the whole time. People show me every day."
She waved to crowd during halftime as each accomplishment of Kevin's was listed.
And there were many.
Eastern's all-time leader in rebounds at 867 and blocked shots with 123, Duckworth scored 1,569 career points and ended his career ranking in the top 10 in all three categories at both Eastern and in the Mid-Continent Conference.
He was an all-conference player in 1986 and was named to the Mid-Continent Conference Dream Team.
Duckworth was a second-round selection by the San Antonio Spurs, but spent most of his NBA career as a member of the Portland Trail Blazers. He was twice selected to the NBA All-Star game and named the NBA's Most Improved Player in 1988.
He helped guide Portland to four Western Conference semifinals and the 1990 and 1992 NBA Finals. He played for the Blazers from 1986-93, averaging 13.6 points and 6.3 rebounds in 527 games.
Former Eastern men's basketball Jake Byrne was honored to be a part of the ceremony.
"It was a great thing for Kevin Duckworth and his family," Byrne said.
And yet, while only this column can only add to the tribute of Duckworth, it can be noted that Duckworth will be forever remembered.
Kevin Murphy can be reached at 581-7944 or at kjmurphy@eiu.edu.
But CBS Sports came to Charleston and labeled him as the nation's most underrated player.
On Saturday night in Lantz Arena, Duckworth had full attention.
Duckworth, a former Eastern and Portland Trail Blazer center, died in August at the age of 44 after suffering a congestive heart failure. He was honored at halftime of the men's basketball game against Jacksonville State.
He was honored with a plaque with his jersey, No. 00, and a men's basketball scholarship was honored in his name.
This season the Eastern men's basketball team has worn a black ribbon with No. 00 on it to honor the former star.
According to KATU.com, Duckworth is getting a permanent honor along the Willamette River in Portland, Ore. A floating platform currently known as the Convention Center Dock will be renamed in his honor. The dock will be the Kevin J. Duckworth Memorial Dock.
All of these honors and memorials are for a good reason - it's Duckworth.
He is Eastern's most recognizable name in the NBA, and as former Eastern head coach Rick Samuels said, Duckworth legitimized Eastern as a Division I team.
While his mother, Maxine, said she struggled to say the words on Saturday night, she seemed to find them.
"I am honored and feel privileged," she said. "He lived the good life. I knew it all the whole time. People show me every day."
She waved to crowd during halftime as each accomplishment of Kevin's was listed.
And there were many.
Eastern's all-time leader in rebounds at 867 and blocked shots with 123, Duckworth scored 1,569 career points and ended his career ranking in the top 10 in all three categories at both Eastern and in the Mid-Continent Conference.
He was an all-conference player in 1986 and was named to the Mid-Continent Conference Dream Team.
Duckworth was a second-round selection by the San Antonio Spurs, but spent most of his NBA career as a member of the Portland Trail Blazers. He was twice selected to the NBA All-Star game and named the NBA's Most Improved Player in 1988.
He helped guide Portland to four Western Conference semifinals and the 1990 and 1992 NBA Finals. He played for the Blazers from 1986-93, averaging 13.6 points and 6.3 rebounds in 527 games.
Former Eastern men's basketball Jake Byrne was honored to be a part of the ceremony.
"It was a great thing for Kevin Duckworth and his family," Byrne said.
And yet, while only this column can only add to the tribute of Duckworth, it can be noted that Duckworth will be forever remembered.
Kevin Murphy can be reached at 581-7944 or at kjmurphy@eiu.edu.
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Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
EIU Alum
posted 2/02/09 @ 8:24 AM CST
Kevin Duckworth was a fan favorite when he played at EIU. It wasn't only because he was a good player. A person could tell that he was always trying his hardest and wanting his team to do well. (Continued…)
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