Retired NBA champion and former Los Angeles Laker Elden Campbell died in an accidental drowning, Florida officials have ruled.
The 57-year-old, 6-foot-11 athlete was pronounced dead at 8:03 p.m. Monday, TMZ first reported, citing the state’s medical examiner.
His death was “due to drowning,” Thomas Steinkamp, the chief of investigative services for Broward County, confirmed to People. The Broward County Sheriff’s Office called his death accidental.
While authorities didn’t detail the circumstances, Campbell’s sister, Sandra Campbell, said her healthy brother had inexplicably collapsed during a day out fishing, leaving his loved ones blindsided.
“Elden was a man of faith who trusted in his lord and savior Jesus Christ,” his family said in a statement released by the NBA. “Husband, father, brother, cousin and friend. 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 world learned of the acclaimed athlete’s death in tributes posted Wednesday by the numerous sports organizations and former teammates Campbell had played with during his 15-year NBA career. His alma mater Clemson University, where he was the all-time leading scorer, shared a brief but poignant Instagram post.
The Detroit Pistons, with whom he won an NBA title in 2004, said the organization was “deeply saddened and heartbroken” by the news.
“Elden patrolled the paint with strength and skill, playing an important role during one of the most memorable chapters in franchise history,” the Pistons said in the NBA statement. “Beyond his contributions on the court, Elden’s calm presence and warm personality made him beloved by teammates, fans, and the community alike.”
Campbell spent the bulk of his career with the L.A. Lakers, playing nine seasons with the team, one of them alongside Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant in 1996-97.
With News Wire Services