Cause of death for NBA champion Elden Campbell, 57, revealed after suffering medical emergency while fishing

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The death of NBA champion and Clemson great Elden Campbell was ruled an accidental drowning after the basketball icon reportedly suffered a medical emergency during a fishing trip. 

Campbell’s death was first confirmed by Clemson officials and family members on Tuesday. 

Detroit Pistons’ Elden Campbell (41) is in action against Miami Heat’s Shaquille O’Neal (32) in Miami, Florida, on May 25, 2005. (Bill Frakes/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)

"I am deeply saddened to learn of Elden Campbell’s passing," Campbell’s head coach at Clemson, Cliff Ellis, said in a statement provided by the university. "Elden was a great player for four years, especially in 1989-90 when he was a major reason we won Clemson’s only ACC regular season championship. He went on to a 15-year career in the NBA and won a World Championship."

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"But most of all, Elden was an outstanding, giving person. This is a sad day for the Clemson family.  Elden loved Clemson, he came back and supported the program after he retired. He exemplified what Clemson was all about."

Days later, Broward County officials confirmed to People magazine that the 57-year-old former NBA pro died on Monday "due to drowning." The death was ruled accidental after Campbell reportedly suffered a medical emergency while fishing. 

Campbell’s sister, Sandra, told the New York Post that he wasn’t sick at the time of his death. 

Elden Campbell (41) of the Los Angeles Lakers takes a foul shot during an NBA basketball game against the Washington Bullets at USAir Arena in Landover, Maryland, on Nov. 26, 1994. (Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)

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