Trail Blazers mourn passing of franchise legend Rick Adelman, Hall of Fame coach

Portland loses a founding player and Hall of Fame coach.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated Jun 41 min read

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The Portland Trail Blazers organization is deeply saddened by the passing of Rick Adelman, a franchise legend and Naismi

What happened: The Portland Trail Blazers announced the passing of Rick Adelman, a Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer and franchise legend. Adelman was a member of the inaugural 1970 Trail Blazers team and later served as an integral coach in Portland. He died at 79.

Why it matters: Adelman stands among the most influential figures in His loss resonates across the league, where he is also remembered as the winningest coach in Sacramento Kings history and a respected mentor to generations of players.

By the numbers: Adelman was part of the Trail Blazers' inaugural 1970-71 roster and later returned to coach the franchise. He died at 79, according to tributes from Oregon officials and local media.

What to watch: Watch for leaguewide tributes from the Trail Blazers, Kings and Timberwolves — organizations he shaped — along with details on memorial arrangements.

Sources

@trailblazers Jun 3, 12:37 PM ET

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Trail Blazers mourn passing of franchise legend Rick Adelman, Hall of Fame coach

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