Former Lakers Center Elden Campbell Dies at 57

Former Lakers Center Elden Campbell Dies at 57 — NBA Stars Honor His Legacy

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Former Los Angeles Lakers center Elden Campbell has died at the age of 57. He spent 8½ of his 15 NBA seasons with the Lakers. Campbell grew up in Inglewood and loved the team since his school days at Morningside High.

Loved by His Family and Friends

Campbell’s family shared that he was a loving and caring person. They said he enjoyed fishing, and he passed away while doing exactly that — spending time on the ocean during a perfect day. Although the exact cause of death is not available, his family asked fans to remember his kindness and faith.

NBA Legends Share Their Grief

Magic Johnson reacted quickly after hearing the news. He wrote that Campbell was a gentle soul and a great teammate. Magic also explained how much he loved throwing alley-oops to Campbell because Elden could jump so high. Johnson sent prayers to Campbell’s family and to all Lakers fans.

A Strong Career in the NBA

Campbell stood 6-foot-11 and joined the Lakers in the first round of the 1990 NBA Draft from Clemson. During his career, he averaged 10.3 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. Later, in 2004, he helped the Detroit Pistons win the NBA championship against the Lakers.

Furthermore, the Pistons praised his calm personality and his positive impact on the community.

“Easy E” — Calm and Smooth on the Court

Teammates called him “Easy E” because he played with a cool and relaxed style.
Former teammate Byron Scott said Campbell always stayed patient and friendly. During the 1996–97 season, he played with Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant and scored 14.9 points per game.

After that, he enjoyed his most productive season in 1999 with the Charlotte Hornets, averaging 15.3 points and 9.4 rebounds.

Clemson Legend and Hall of Fame Inductee

Campbell remains the all-time scoring leader at Clemson with 1,880 points. He also helped the school win its only ACC regular-season title in 1989–90 and reach the Sweet 16. His former coach Cliff Ellis said Campbell was not only a talented player but also a generous person.

In addition, Elden Campbell entered the 2025 SoCal Basketball Hall of Fame Class.

A Legacy Beyond Basketball

Many coaches and players believed Campbell could have become an even bigger star. However, he simply loved to play the game at his own pace. His warm personality created strong bonds with teammates and fans everywhere he went.

Campbell leaves behind his wife, Rosemary; his children Jay Lee, Jael, Ariel, and Aaron; and his siblings Elwayne, Sandra, and Charles Jr.