PORTLAND, Ore. - Former Portland Trail Blazers center Kevin Duckworth died from heart disease, an autopsy determined Wednesday.

The 44-year-old died Monday while staying at the Salishan Lodge at Gleneden Beach, north of Newport on the central coast. He was on a Trail Blazers goodwill tour and was scheduled to hold a basketball clinic the following day.

According to Dr. Larry V. Lewman of the Oregon State Medical Examiner's Office, Duckworth's heart had been failing for some time. It was markedly enlarged due to heart disease and high blood pressure, he said. The specific medical term for what caused Duckworth's death is "hypertrophic cardiomyopathy" with congestive heart failure.

Duckworth played seven years for the Blazers, along with the likes of Clyde Drexler, Terry Porter, Buck Williams and Jerome Kersey.

Twice he appeared in All-Star games, and twice the team won the Western Conference title.

He was 7 feet tall, pushed 300 pounds and struggled unsuccessfully to control his weight during his career. He put on many pounds afterward.

The Trail Blazers announced on Wednesday that a memorial service for Duckworth will be help Saturday at 11 a.m. at Memorial Coliseum. All fans are invited to pay their respects. Due to an event occurring at the Rose Garden nearby, people are advised to take public transportation.