Kim Hughes , who played five seasons in the NBA and later served as an assistant coach with the Portland Trail Blazers , died Saturday of unknown causes. He was 73.

Meyers Leonard , a former Blazers center during Hughes’ time in Portland, shared the news on Instagram.

“You were like a father,” Leonard wrote in a heartfelt message . “You were my coach. You loved me unconditionally. You pushed me, but always followed up with an arm around me. You taught me about basketball, but more importantly, about life. You were a great father and husband, and that’s what I admired most about you. I’ve never seen someone deal with so much heartache and pain, yet you never complained, and always found a way through.

“You were a straight shooter and as truthful as it gets, yet you knew how to love

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