Former NBA Champion Elden Campbell Dies at 57

Former NBA big man Elden Campbell, known for his lengthy career with the Los Angeles Lakers and his role in the Detroit Pistons’ 2004 championship run, has died at the age of 57. Campbell, a 6-foot-11 center, spent 15 seasons in the league after being selected by the Lakers in the first round of the 1990 NBA Draft.

Campbell played alongside some of the league’s brightest stars during his early years in Los Angeles, developing a reputation for dependable defense, shot-blocking, and quiet consistency. He later became an important veteran presence for the Pistons, helping anchor their interior defense during their surprising postseason surge that ended in an NBA title victory over the heavily favored Lakers.

Over the course of his career, Campbell suited up for several teams — including the Hornets, SuperSonics, and Nets — before retiring in 2005. Known as a soft-spoken, hardworking player, he remained respected by former teammates and coaches long after leaving the court.

No details regarding the cause of death have been publicly released. Tributes from across the basketball world began pouring in as word spread of Campbell’s passing, with many remembering him as a reliable teammate and a steady defensive presence during one of the NBA’s most competitive eras.