Jess Kersey facts for kids
Jesse "Jess" Kersey (born January 12, 1941 – died April 22, 2017) was a well-known American basketball referee. He was born in Newport News, Virginia. Jess Kersey helped make sure basketball games were fair for many years.
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Who Was Jess Kersey?
Jess Kersey was a respected referee in professional basketball. He worked for two major leagues. These were the American Basketball Association (ABA) and the National Basketball Association (NBA). Referees are important officials who make sure players follow the rules of the game.
A Long Career in Basketball
Kersey joined the NBA in 1973. He had a very long career that lasted 30 years. During this time, he was a referee for many games. He officiated 1,911 regular season games. He also worked 189 playoff games. The NBA Finals are the championship games. Jess Kersey was a referee in 18 of these important Finals games. This shows how trusted and experienced he was.
What Does a Basketball Referee Do?
A basketball referee has a big job. They watch every play closely. They make sure players do not break any rules. This includes calling fouls or violations. Referees also keep the game moving smoothly. They help ensure fair play for both teams. Jess Kersey was known for his calm and fair way of officiating.
His Time in the NBA
After 24 seasons, Jess Kersey left the NBA in July 1997. He had spent a long time helping to officiate many exciting games. He passed away on April 22, 2017. He was 76 years old when he died in Williamsburg, Virginia.
