WHEREAS, Jerome Kersey, a distinguished Longwood College alumnus, versatile professional basketball player, and devoted teammate and friend, died on February 18, 2015; and WHEREAS, a native of Clarksville, Jerome Kersey graduated from Longwood College (now Longwood University), where he averaged 17 points and 11.3 rebounds per game and scored 1,756 career points; he was named All-American twice and broke several school records; and WHEREAS, Jerome Kersey was drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers in the second round of the 1984 National Basketball Association (NBA) draft, and he helped the team reach two NBA Finals in 1990 and 1992; he ranks second on Portland's career games list with 831 appearances; and WHEREAS, over the course of 17 seasons, Jerome Kersey also played with the Golden State Warriors, the Los Angeles Lakers, the Seattle SuperSonics, the San Antonio Spurs, and the Milwaukee Bucks; he won the NBA Championship with San Antonio in 1999; and WHEREAS, throughout his professional career, Jerome Kersey made 1,153 regular-season appearances and averaged 10.3 points and 5.5 rebounds per game; and WHEREAS, Jerome Kersey was respected as a fierce competitor on the court, earning the nickname "No Mercy Kersey," but was also known off the court for his friendly demeanor, bright smile, and dedication to his friends and teammates; and WHEREAS, Jerome Kersey retired as a player in 2001 and served as an assistant coach of the Milwaukee Bucks in 2004 - 2005; he remained an active servant to the community and had recently attended an African American History Month event with several former players at a school in Portland, Oregon; and WHEREAS, Jerome Kersey will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by numerous family members, friends, and former teammates; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Jerome Kersey, a Longwood College alumnus and professional basketball star; and, be it RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Jerome Kersey as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory. |