Elden Campbell, an NBA champion and 15-year league veteran, has passed away at 57. Throughout his career, Campbell played nine seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, four with the former Charlotte Hornets, and also had stints with the Detroit Pistons, former New Orleans Hornets, Seattle SuperSonics, and former New Jersey Nets. The cause of his death has not yet been disclosed.
Campbell was the 27th overall pick in the 1990 NBA draft by the Lakers. His standout season came in 1996-97 when he averaged 15 points per game, playing alongside Shaquille O’Neal and rookie Kobe Bryant. He was a crucial two-way player for the Lakers during the early to mid-1990s and was their second-leading scorer in the 1994-95 playoffs. He is especially remembered for his time with the Lakers and his NBA Finals victory in 2004 with the Pistons against his former team.
Before joining the NBA, Campbell starred at Clemson University, earning two All-ACC honors and leading the Tigers to their only regular-season conference title in 1990. He averaged 16.4 points that year and led the ACC in blocks for three of his four college seasons. As a senior, Campbell helped Clemson reach the Sweet 16. He is still Clemson’s all-time leading scorer with 1,880 points and ranks second in blocks. His college coach, Cliff Ellis, praised him as both an exceptional player and a dedicated individual.
NBA Hall of Famer Magic Johnson, who was Campbell’s teammate for two seasons, expressed his condolences online, highlighting Campbell’s athleticism and kind heart. The Lakers and many former teammates, including Cedric Ceballos, also shared their sadness on social media. Campbell was inducted into the Southern California Basketball Hall of Fame in 2025 and Clemson’s Hall of Fame in 2000.
Fan Take: Elden Campbell’s passing hits hard for basketball fans as he was not only a formidable player on the court but also a respected figure off it. His journey from college star to NBA champion embodies the spirit of dedication in the sport, reminding us of the impact players have beyond just the game.
