Former NBA champion and Clemson player Elden Campbell dies at 57
[December 04, 2025]
By STEVE REED
Elden Campbell, a center who played 15 seasons in the
NBA — including nine with the Los Angeles Lakers — and later won a
championship with the Detroit Pistons, has died. He was 57.
Campbell's family informed the Pistons of the death, telling the team
that he died on Monday. No cause was given. |
Elden Campbell (41) of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket as
Buck Williams left, and Charlie Ward of the New York Knicks defend,
during the second half of their game on Sunday, Feb. 23, 1997 in
Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File) |
|
The 6-foot-11 Campbell was born in Los Angeles and excelled at
Morningside High before heading to Clemson. He was a first-team
ACC selection in the 1989-90 season and finished as the school’s
all-time leading scorer with 1,880 points.
Campbell helped the Tigers win the 1989-90 ACC regular-season
title and reach the Sweet 16 before being selected in the first
round of the 1990 NBA draft by his hometown Lakers.
He played nine seasons in Los Angeles, but didn't win a
championship ring until later in his career with the Pistons —
beating the Lakers in five games in 2004. Campbell played in
1,044 NBA games and amassed more than 10,000 points and 1,600
blocks while averaging 10.3 points and 5.9 rebounds per game.
Campbell averaged 14.9 points per game with the Lakers playing
alongside Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant in 1996-97, but his
best statistical season came in 1999-2000 with the Charlotte
Hornets when he averaged 15.3 points and 9.4 rebounds.
Campbell also spent time with the New Orleans Hornets, Seattle
Supersonics and New Jersey Nets before retiring in 2005.
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