Former Clemson basketball great Elden Campbell, who went on to play for the Los Angeles Lakers and won an NBA title near the end of his career with the Detroit Pistons, died at age 57.
The cause of death is unknown.
“I just remember his demeanor. That’s why we nicknamed him ‘Easy E,’ ” former Lakers star Byron Scott told The Los Angeles Times. “He was just so cool, nothing speeding him up. He was going to take his time. He was just easy. He was such a good dude. I loved Easy, man.”
Campbell, who starred with the Tigers from 1986-90, leading them to three NCAA Tournament appearances, still holds the school's all-time scoring record with 1,880 points and is the winningest Tigers player with 84 victories.
A first team All-ACC player in 1989-90, the 6-11 Campbell teamed with Dale Davis to lead Clemson to its only ACC regular-season championship that season. The Tigers famously lost to UConn in the Sweet 16 on a buzzer-beating basket by Tate George.
The forward was also All-ACC Second Team in 1988-89 and All-ACC Third Team in 1987-88. He ranks second in school history in blocked shots with 334 behind Tree Rollins and is eighth in rebounds with 836. At Clemson, Campbell averaged 15.3 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game and shot 56.2 percent in 123 games with the Tigers.
Kobe Bryant Photo Gallery
Los Angeles Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal (34) puts his arms around teammates, Elden Campbell (41) and Kobe Bryant (8) as Eddie Jones (6) and Derek Harper walk in front as they return to play the Houston Rockets in the fourth quarter at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, Calif., Feb. 5, 1999. FILE/VICTORIA AROCHO/AP
In the 1990 NBA draft, the Lakers selected the Inglewood, Calif., native with the No. 27 overall pick. He played nine seasons in Los Angeles, averaging 10.4 points and 5.8 rebounds a game. In 1996-97, he averaged 14.9 points per game playing alongside Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal.
He was traded to Charlotte during the 1998-1999 season with Eddie Jones for B.J. Armstrong, J.R. Reid and Glen Rice, and averaged 13.5 points and 7.7 rebounds a game over four seasons.
Campbell also played for Seattle, New Jersey and Detroit, where he was part of the NBA championship-winning Pistons in 2003-04.
For his career, Campbell scored 10,805 points, averaging 10.3 per game. He averaged 5.9 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game while shooting 46 percent from the field.