Former NBA center Elden Campbell, who spent 15 years in the league, has died. He was 57.
“I just remember his demeanor. That’s why we nicknamed him ‘Easy E,’ ‘ former Lakers guard 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 was selected by the Lakers in the first round of the 1990 NBA Draft out of Clemson, where he still holds the school’s all-time scoring record and led the Tigers to three NCAA Tournament appearances.
Campbell spent eight-plus seasons with the Lakers and was traded to the Charlotte Hornets in 1999, averaging a career-high 15.3 points and 9.4 rebounds per game after the trade.
He also played for the Seattle SuperSonics, Detroit Pistons, and New Jersey Nets, and won an NBA championship with the Pistons in 2004.
He averaged 10.3 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks a game over his career.