The basketball world is in mourning following the sudden death of former Los Angeles Lakers star and NBA champion Elden Campbell. The 57-year-old tragically passed away after collapsing following a fishing trip, his family has confirmed.
A Sudden and Tragic Loss
Campbell's sister, Sandra, revealed the devastating news, telling the New York Post that her brother was taken ill after returning to land. His death was completely unexpected, as he was not known to be suffering from any illness. "It was all the sudden," Sandra said. "He wasn't sick. He was out fishing."
The exact cause of death remains unknown, with his body currently with the medical examiner. Sandra described her brother as a cornerstone of their family, stating: "We don't know what happened. He was such a big pillar and a staple to our family. He is going to be terribly missed."
A Stellar 15-Year NBA Career
Elden Campbell enjoyed a distinguished professional basketball career spanning 15 seasons. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the 1990 NBA draft after playing college basketball for Clemson University.
He spent just over eight of his 15 seasons with the Lakers, sharing the court with legends like Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant. In 1998, he was traded alongside Eddie Jones to the Charlotte Hornets, where he played until 2003.
Campbell's career also included stints with the Detroit Pistons and New Jersey Nets. He secured his sole NBA championship ring in 2004 with the Detroit Pistons, in a series victory over his former team, the Lakers.
His defensive prowess was legendary, leaving him ranked 34th on the NBA's all-time blocks list. Across 1,044 career games, he averaged 10.3 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game.
An Outpouring of Tributes
The news has prompted an emotional wave of tributes from across the basketball community. The Los Angeles Lakers organisation posted a picture of Campbell on social media with the simple caption: "RIP Big Easy."
Former Lakers teammate Cedric Ceballos expressed his grief on Instagram, writing: "This one hurt to the bone. grew up as kids together. rest BIG EASY."
Basketball Hall of Famer Magic Johnson paid a heartfelt tribute on X, formerly Twitter. "I just received devastating news that my former Lakers teammate and friend Elden Campbell has passed away," Johnson wrote. "He was such a gentle soul. As a basketball player, he was extremely athletic. I loved throwing lobs to Elden because he could jump out the gym and had so much talent!"
A statement from his family remembered him as a devoted family man: "He was a man to whom family meant everything - generous, funny, disciplined and kind, but could shut you down if required. A man of God, he passed doing what he loved; fishing out on the ocean, enjoying his idea of an ideal day."
The sudden passing of Elden Campbell, a gentle giant of the game, leaves a significant void in the hearts of his family, former teammates, and fans across the NBA.
