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Kersey’s death linked to blood clot that traveled to lungs

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) 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)

By Associated Press February 19, 2015 1 min read

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 lungs.

The determination by the medical examiner Thursday came a day after Kersey died at 52. Kersey had minor surgery on his knee last Friday.

He appeared Tuesday with fellow 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.