Reports: Ex-NBA champ Elden Campbell died by drowning

Field Level Media|published: 12/05/2025, 11:52am EST

Apr 19, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; General view of a NBA Wilson basketball before the game between the LA Clippers against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Elden Campbell, who won an NBA championship with the Detroit Pistons, died earlier this week in Florida by drowning, multiple outlets reported Friday.

His death was announced Wednesday with no cause given.

People magazine reported that Thomas Steinkamp, the chief of investigative services for Broward County, confirmed the drowning. The Broward County Sheriff's Office ruled the death of Campbell, 57, an accident.

ESPN reported that Campbell had been fishing on Monday and suffered an unspecified medical emergency.

A center, Campbell played at Clemson from 1986-90 and scored a school-record 1,880 career points. He also remains first in career field goals (754). He blocked 334 shots and had 836 rebounds with the Tigers.

The Los Angeles Lakers selected him with their first-round pick (No. 27 overall) in 1990. He played eight-plus seasons there, then spent time with the Hornets, SuperSonics, Nets and Pistons. He won the NBA championship with Detroit in 2004.

Campbell played in 1,044 games (671 starts) and had career averages of 10.3 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.5 blocks.

He is survived by his wife, Rosemary, and four children.

--Field Level Media