Elden Campbell, a 15-year veteran of the NBA known for his time with the Los Angeles Lakers, has passed away at the age of 57. The cause of his death has not been revealed.
Born in Inglewood, California, Campbell went to Morningside High School and was an avid Lakers fan from a young age. Standing at 6 feet 11 inches tall, he was selected by the Lakers during the first round of the 1990 NBA Draft after a standout career at Clemson University.
Campbell, who will enter the Southern California Basketball Hall of Fame in 2025, played in Los Angeles for about eight and a half seasons, averaging 10.3 points and 5.9 rebounds throughout his career. Notably, he clinched his only NBA championship with the Detroit Pistons in 2004, a significant upset against the Lakers.
Nicknamed “Eazy-E,” Campbell was recognized for his effortless playing style, unmatched calmness, and easygoing attitude in the locker room.
After his passing, former teammates and friends shared their sorrow. Byron Scott, also from Inglewood and a fellow Morningside alumni, expressed deep sadness at the news. The two had teamed up during Scott’s final NBA season in 1996-97.
“I just remember his attitude. That’s why we called him ‘Eazy-E,'” Scott recalled. “He was really cool, nothing would hurry him. He just took his time. He was such a good guy.” Campbell enjoyed a standout season during that time, averaging 14.9 points and eight rebounds while playing alongside Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal.
His best statistical performance came while with the Charlotte Hornets, where he averaged 15.3 points and 9.4 rebounds in the 1998-99 season.
“This really hurts,” said Cedric Ceballos, a former Lakers teammate, on Instagram. “We grew up together.”
Campbell entered the NBA with high expectations due to his impressive physical attributes and athleticism. Though he didn’t always reach the heights anticipated, he was an effective inside defender with a smooth touch around the hoop during his time in various cities including Los Angeles, Charlotte, Seattle, New Orleans, and Detroit.
Scott believed Campbell had the qualities of a superstar but acknowledged that Campbell seemed comfortable being a role player, simply relishing the game he loved.
“I thought, if he really wanted to improve, that would be the only negative thing I could say,” Scott noted. “He had the potential to be great but just wanted to play. He was a nice guy.”
