FILE - In this Feb. 21, 1992, file photo, Los Angeles Clippers' Doc Rivers, left, fights Portland Trail Blazers' Jerome Kersey for a rebound during an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles. Kersey, the small forward who played his first 11 NBA seasons with the Trail Blazers and helped the San Antonio Spurs win the 1999 title, has died. He was 52. The Trail Blazers confirmed Wednesday night, Feb. 18, 2015, that Kersey had died, but didn't provide details. (AP Photo/Craig Fuji, File)
The Associated Press
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - The state medical examiner says former Portland Trail Blazers player Jerome Kersey died from a blood clot that traveled from his left calf to his left lung.
The announcement Thursday comes a day after Kersey died at 52. He had minor knee surgery Friday, but it could not be immediately determined if surgery caused the clot.
Kersey appeared Tuesday with former Blazers Terry Porter Brian Grant at a Portland high school in celebration of African-American History Month. He visited the team offices hours before his death.
Kersey helped the Trail Blazers twice reach the NBA Finals before he won a title with the San Antonio Spurs in 1999.
Kersey averaged 10.3 points and 5.5 rebounds in 17 seasons in the NBA with Portland, Golden State, the Los Angeles Lakers, Seattle, San Antonio and Milwaukee.
FILE - In this June 14, 1992, file photo, Chicago Bulls' Michael Jordan, right, tries to hold off Portland Trail Blazers' Jerome Kersey during Game 6 in basketball's NBA Finals in Chicago. Kersey, the small forward who played his first 11 NBA seasons with the Blazers and helped the San Antonio Spurs win the 1999 title, has died. He was 52. The Trail Blazers confirmed Wednesday night, Feb. 18, 2015, that Kersey had died, but didn't provide details. (AP Photo/Fred Jewell, File)
The Associated Press
FILE - In this July 16, 2003, file photo, Portland Trail Blazers general manager John Nash, left, chats with assistant coach Jerome Kersey after the NBA basketball team's practice in Tualatin, Ore. Kersey, the small forward who played his first 11 NBA seasons with the Trail Blazers and helped the San Antonio Spurs win the 1999 title, has died. He was 52. The Trail Blazers confirmed Wednesday night, Feb. 18, 2015, that Kersey had died, but didn't provide details. (AP Photo/Greg Wahl-Stephens, File)
The Associated Press