Former NBA champion Elden Campbell dies at 57
former-nba-champion-elden-campbell-dies-at-57
Former NBA center and 2004 title winner Elden Campbell has died at age 57, the Los Angeles Times first reported. The cause of death was not disclosed.
Campbell, a 6-foot-11 center known for his composure in the paint, played four seasons at Clemson University before the Los Angeles Lakers selected him with the 27th pick in the 1990 NBA Draft. He spent more than eight years with the Lakers, serving as a reliable interior presence throughout the early 1990s.
In 1999, Los Angeles traded Campbell to Charlotte. He went on to suit up for the Hornets, SuperSonics, Nets, and Pistons during a 15-year career that concluded with a championship ring in Detroit’s 2004 run. Campbell appeared in 14 postseason contests for that Pistons team and earned praise as a steady veteran voice.
Across 1,044 regular-season games, he averaged 10.3 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks while shooting 46 percent from the field. His 1,602 career blocks still place him 37th on the NBA’s all-time list. He also logged 106 playoff appearances.
Former Lakers teammate Byron Scott recalled Campbell’s laid-back demeanor. “That’s why we nicknamed him Easy E,” Scott told the Times. “He was just so cool. Nothing sped him up. He was such a good dude.”
Source: Hoops Wire
