The NBA world received said news earlier this week that former Portland Trail Blazer Jerome Kersey passed away at the age of 52 due to a blood clot.
Kersey spent 11 seasons with the Blazers, wearing uniform No. 25 for each of them. That number is now being worn by Steve Blake, or it used to be. The team announced Blake’s request made to the NBA to allow him to switch numbers was granted.
“Jerome Kersey meant a lot to this team and to this city,” said Blake via a press release. “I’ve known Jerome for a long time now and wanted to honor him and his vast contributions both on and off the court. I consider it an honor to wear the number 25, but this just seemed like the right thing to do.”
A nice gesture by Blake, indeed. Blake will now wear No. 5, which he also wore during stints with the Bucks and Lakers. The change will be effective with Friday’s game.
