Trail Blazers' Blake changes jersey number from 25 to 5 to honor late Kersey
Steve Blake is paying his respects.
The Trail Blazers' reserve wears No. 25, the number Jerome Kersey, who died Wednesday due to a blood clot, made famous in Portland.
After learning of Kersey's death at age 52, Blake asked assistant general manager Bill Branch if he could change his number, according to The Oregonian's Jason Quick.
"It was always an honor to wear that number," Blake said, "knowing what (Kersey) meant to the organization and the fans here."
After getting league approval, Blake will wear No. 5.
"I just wanted to do that for him," he said. "To honor him. To honor his jersey. Hopefully the fans will understand.
"This morning I just felt like it's something that should be done. I know he is going to be dearly missed, but I hope this can honor him."
Trail Blazers president Chris McGowan said the team is still in shock after Kersey's sudden death, and is thinking about ways to honor him, including retiring his No. 25 permanently.
Kersey spent 11 of his best years in Portland.