R.J. Adelman, son of former Blazers coach, dies after being struck by vehicle in Houston

R.J. Adelman, the son of former Portland Trail Blazers and NBA head coach Rick Adelman, has died after being struck by a vehicle in Houston. The news was first reported by TMZ.

Adelman, 44, was crossing a street in downtown Houston at around noon on Feb. 2 when he was reportedly struck by an 80-year-old woman driving a minivan. Adelman was transported to a local hospital in serious condition, but died four hours later as a result of injuries suffered from the accident.

Adelman grew up in Oregon and was a four year letterman playing basketball at Willamette University. He won the NAIA Division II National Championship with the Bearcats in 1993. Adelman earned his law degree from the University of Oregon in 2001 and then went on to work in the NBA in a variety of roles with the Seattle SuperSonics, Sacramento Kings and Minnesota Timberwolves. Adelman moved into coaching when he joined his father as an assistant coach on the Houston Rockets staff.

Update: The Portland Trail Blazers have issued the following statement on the passing of R. J. Adelman, son of former Trail Blazers head coach and player Rick Adelman.

“The Portland Trail Blazers extend our sincerest condolences to Rick Adelman, his wife Mary Kay and their family during this difficult time. The Adelmans were an integral part of and positive contributors to our organization and this community from 1983 to 1994. Rick also helped establish the Trail Blazers team as a player during our first three years as a franchise. We join with others around the NBA in keeping the Adelmans in our thoughts and prayers.”