Former NBA big man Elden Campbell has died at the age of 57, per Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times. A cause of death has not been announced.
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Campbell, a 6-foot-11 center with a soft touch and an easygoing personality, starred at Clemson before being selected 27th overall by the Lakers in the 1990 NBA Draft. He spent nearly nine seasons in Los Angeles, becoming a steady frontcourt presence before being traded to Charlotte in 1999.
He went on to play for the Hornets in both Charlotte and New Orleans, then made stops in Seattle, New Jersey, and Detroit over a 15-year career. Campbell won a championship with the Pistons in 2004, appearing in 14 playoff games during their run.
Across 1,044 regular-season games, Campbell averaged 10.3 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks while shooting 46 percent from the field. He added another 106 playoff appearances and finished his career with 1,602 blocks, which ranks 37th in NBA history.
Turner notes that Campbell was remembered as much for his calm demeanor as his production. Former Lakers teammate Byron Scott said that's how Campbell got the nickname "Easy E."
"I just remember his demeanor," Scott told the Times. "He was just so cool, nothing speeding him up. He was going to take his time. He was such a good dude. I loved Easy, man."
Campbell leaves behind a long NBA résumé and a reputation as one of the league's most laid-back big men of his era.
