Former Clemson All-American and NBA champion Elden Campbell has died. He was 57 years old.
Clemson announced Campbell’s death on Wednesday with a post on X.
“We mourn the loss of Elden Campbell, our all-time leading scorer, All-American and three-time All-ACC player, who passed away at the age of 57,” the post said.
Elden Campbell scored 1,880 points over the course of his college career, helping the Tigers to the NCAA Tournament in three of his four seasons.
He scored a career high 18.8 points per game as a sophomore in 1987-88.
Clemson’s best season with Campbell came in 1989-90 when the Tigers won the ACC regular season championship and advanced to the Sweet 16.
“I am deeply saddened to learn of Elden Campbell’s passing,” former Clemson coach Cliff Ellis said in a statement. “Elden was a great player for four years, especially in 1989-90 when he was a major reason we won Clemson’s only ACC regular season championship. He went on to a 15-year career in the NBA and won a World Championship.
“But most of all, Elden was an outstanding, giving person. This is a sad day for the Clemson family. Elden loved Clemson, he came back and supported the program after he retired. He exemplified what Clemson was all about.”
Following his college career, Campbell was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the 1990 NBA Draft.
He went on to spend nine seasons with the Lakers, before also playing for the Hornets, SuperSonics, Pistons and Nets over the course of his 15-year NBA career, helping the Pistons to the NBA championship in 2004.
Campbell averaged 10.3 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game in the NBA for his career.
His best individual season came with the Lakers in 1996-97 when he averaged a career high 14.9 points and 8.0 rebounds per game.