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LINCOLN CITY, Ore. — Former Portland Trail Blazers center Kevin Duckworth, a "gentle giant" with a feathery touch from the paint, has died. He was 44.

Duckworth, part of a Trail Blazers goodwill tour, was scheduled to hold a basketball clinic on the Oregon coast when he died Monday night. The Depoe Bay Fire Department said it responded at about 10 p.m. to a report of a man who was down and not breathing at Salishan Lodge at Gleneden Beach, north of Newport on the central coast.

The cause of death was to be determined by a medical examiner, but the Lincoln County sheriff's office said there was no indication of foul play.

"Within the world of basketball, within those Trail Blazers teams, he was a jokester," said Phoenix Suns coach Terry Porter, who played with Duckworth. "He was a big loving teddy bear. At times, guys got frustrated because he did not have a mean streak. He was just a great guy. He loved the team atmosphere, loved being a teammate in those successful Blazer teams."

Duckworth, 7 feet tall, averaged 11.8 points and 5.8 rebounds over 11 seasons in the NBA, helping Portland reach the NBA Finals in 1990 and 1992. The two-time All-Star also played for San Antonio, Washington, Milwaukee and the Los Angeles Clippers.

"Kevin will be remembered by fans as one of the most popular and recognizable players to ever wear the Blazers uniform, but to people who knew him, he'll be remembered as one of the warmest and biggest-hearted," Trail Blazers president Larry Miller said.

ORLANDO, Fla. — The LPGA Tour boasts players from all over the world, and it wants all of them to be able to speak English.

The LPGA will require players to speak English starting in 2009, with players who have been LPGA members for two years facing suspension if they cannot pass an oral evaluation of English skills. The rule is effective immediately for new players.

"Athletes now have more responsibilities, and we want to help their professional development," deputy commissioner Libba Galloway told The Associated Press. "There are more fans, more media and more sponsors. We want to help our athletes as best we can (to) succeed off the golf course, as well as on it."

The tour held a mandatory meeting with South Koreans last Wednesday at the Safeway Classic to inform them of the new policy, which was first reported by Golfweek magazine. There is no such rule on the PGA Tour.

There are 121 international players from 26 countries on the LPGA Tour, including 45 players from South Korea.

Seon-Hwa Lee, the only Asian with multiple victories this year, said she works with an English tutor in the winter.

Her ability to answer questions without the help of a translator has improved in her short time on tour.

"The economy is bad, and we are losing sponsors," Lee said. "Everybody understands."

● Glen Griffith of Tucson Golf Schools will carry a two-stroke lead into the final round of the 2008 PGA Southwest Section championship today at Oro Valley Country Club.

Griffith shot a 6-under-par 66 Tuesday for a two-day total of 137. A four-way tie for second place included Dean Vomacka of the Stone Canyon Club. He shot a 71 Tuesday.

Torres Blancas Golf Club pro Rich Elias was three strokes back at 140. He shot an even-par 72 Tuesday.

The winner will earn $6,000 of a $43,460 purse.