ESPN radio announcer Jim Durham dies at 65

BRISTOL, Conn. -- ESPN radio announcer Jim Durham, who called NBA games for the network, has died. He was 65.

ESPN said yesterday that Durham died over the weekend at his home in Tomball, Texas, near Houston. No cause of death was given.

Last year, Durham received the Curt Gowdy Media Award from the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame for his contributions to the sport.

Durham was the lead play-by-play commentator for NBA games on ESPN Radio since its inception in 1996. His last assignment for ESPN was last Tuesday's season opener between the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat.

A Chicago native, Durham called Bulls games during Michael Jordan's first seven seasons. He also was a broadcaster for the Dallas Mavericks, Chicago White Sox and Houston Astros.