Campbell, who was 57, died on Monday, Dec. 1 “due to drowning,” Thomas Steinkamp, the chief of investigative services for Broward County confirmed to PEOPLE. His death was accidental, according to the Broward County Sheriff\u2019s Office, who investigated the case.<\/p>\n
TMZ<\/a> was first to report Campbell’s cause of death.<\/p>\n The former Laker, who played alongside Shaquille O’Neal<\/a> and Kobe Bryant<\/a>, is survived by his wife, Rosemary, four children: Jay Lee, Jael, Ariel and Aaron,\u00a0according to the NBA<\/a>, as well as his siblings: sister Sandra and brothers Elwayne and Charles Jr.<\/p>\n Bill Baptist\/NBAE via Getty<\/p>\n Elden Campbell on Dec. 6, 1996 in Houston, Texas<\/p>\n On Dec. 3, Sandra\u00a0told the\u00a0New York Post<\/a> that her brother was out on the water and had returned<\/a> to shore when he collapsed on Monday.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was all the sudden,\u201d Sandra said. \u201cHe wasn\u2019t sick. He was out fishing.\u201d<\/p>\n She said at the time of the interview that they “don’t know what happened.”<\/p>\n \u201cHe was such a big pillar and a staple to our family,\u201d Sandra told the\u00a0Post. \u201cHe\u2019s going to be terribly missed.\u201d<\/p>\n Campbell\u2019s family also released a statement, and seemingly took solace in the fact that he died “doing what he loved.” They remembered the former Laker as “a man to whom family meant everything \u2014\u00a0generous, funny, disciplined and kind, but could shut you down if required.”<\/p>\n “A man of God, he passed doing what he loved: fishing out on the ocean, enjoying his idea of an ideal day,” his family said.<\/p>\n His death was first announced on Wednesday, Dec. 3 in statements from his alma mater Clemson University<\/a> and the Detroit Pistons, where he played for two seasons.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Detroit Pistons organization is deeply saddened and heartbroken by the news of Elden Campbell\u2019s passing,\u201d the NBA franchise\u00a0said<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cA proud member of our 2004 NBA Championship team, Elden patrolled the paint with strength and skill, playing an important role during one of the most memorable chapters in franchise history.\u00a0Beyond his contributions on the court, Elden\u2019s calm presence and warm personality made him beloved by teammates, fans and the community alike.\u00a0Our hearts and prayers are with Elden\u2019s family and friends during this difficult time.\u201d<\/p>\n “I loved throwing lobs to Elden because he could jump out the gym and had so much talent!”\u00a0Magic Johnson<\/a>, who played parts of three seasons (1990, 1991 and 1996) with Campbell,\u00a0wrote on X<\/a>. “Cookie and I are praying for his family and Lakers Nation as they mourn during this difficult time. Rest in peace Big E!”<\/p>\n Read the original article on People<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Bill](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/01436a5366d1c9abc9e6f555155260e0.jpeg\"\/)
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