Retired NBA champion and former Los Angeles Laker Elden Campbell died in an unintended drowning, Florida officers have dominated.
The 57-year-old, 6-foot-11 athlete was pronounced lifeless at 8:03 p.m. Monday, TMZ first reported, citing the state’s medical expert.
His dying was “due to drowning,” Thomas Steinkamp, the chief of investigative providers for Broward County, confirmed to Folks. The Broward County Sheriff’s Workplace referred to as his dying unintended.
Whereas authorities didn’t element the circumstances, Campbell’s sister, Sandra Campbell, mentioned her wholesome brother had inexplicably collapsed throughout a day trip fishing, leaving his family members blindsided.
“Elden was a man of faith who trusted in his lord and savior Jesus Christ,” his household mentioned in a press release launched 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 discovered of the acclaimed athlete’s dying in tributes posted Wednesday by the quite a few sports activities organizations and former teammates Campbell had performed with throughout his 15-year NBA profession. His alma mater Clemson College, the place he was the all-time main scorer, shared a quick however poignant Instagram put up.
Elden Campbell of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles throughout a recreation towards the Utah Jazz on the Nice Western Discussion board in Inglewood, California, on Feb. 7, 1999. (Todd Warshaw /Allsport through Getty Photos)
“Elden patrolled the paint with strength and skill, playing an important role during one of the most memorable chapters in franchise history,” the Pistons mentioned within the NBA assertion. “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 majority of his profession with the L.A. Lakers, enjoying 9 seasons with the group, one in every of them alongside Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant in 1996-97.
