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

The decease of NBA champion and Clemson large Elden Campbell was ruled an accidental drowning aft the hoops icon reportedly suffered a aesculapian exigency during a sportfishing trip. 

Campbell’s decease was archetypal confirmed by Clemson officials and household members connected Tuesday. 

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

"I americium profoundly saddened to larn of Elden Campbell’s passing," Campbell’s caput manager astatine Clemson, Cliff Ellis, said successful a connection provided by the university. "Elden was a large subordinate for 4 years, particularly successful 1989-90 erstwhile helium was a large crushed we won Clemson’s lone ACC regular play championship. He went connected to a 15-year vocation successful the NBA and won a World Championship."

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"But astir of all, Elden was an outstanding, giving person. This is simply a bittersweet time for the Clemson family.  Elden loved Clemson, helium came backmost and supported the programme aft helium retired. He exemplified what Clemson was each about."

Days later, Broward County officials confirmed to People mag that the 57-year-old erstwhile NBA pro died connected Monday "due to drowning." The decease was ruled accidental aft Campbell reportedly suffered a aesculapian exigency portion fishing. 

Campbell’s sister, Sandra, told the New York Post that helium wasn’t sick astatine the clip of his death. 

Elden Campbell (41) of the Los Angeles Lakers takes a foul changeable during an NBA hoops crippled against the Washington Bullets astatine USAir Arena successful Landover, Maryland, connected Nov. 26, 1994. (Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)

NBA CHAMPION AND CLEMSON GREAT ELDEN CAMPBELL DEAD AT 57

"It was each the sudden," she told the outlet. "He wasn’t sick. He was retired fishing."

His household released a connection aboriginal confirming that helium passed "doing what helium loved." 

"Elden was a antheral of religion who trusted successful his Lord and savior Jesus Christ," the connection read. "Husband, father, brother, relative and friend. He was a antheral to whom household meant everything —  generous, funny, disciplined and kind, but could unopen you down if required. A antheral of God, helium passed doing what helium loved: sportfishing retired connected the ocean, enjoying his thought of an perfect day."

Washington Wizards’ Kwame Brown (right) knocks the shot distant from Charlotte Hornets’ Elden Campbell (left) successful the 2nd fractional astatine Charlotte Coliseum successful Charlotte, North Carolina, connected April 5, 2002. (NELL REDMOND/AFP via Getty Images)

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Campbell played 15 seasons successful the NBA, predominantly with the Los Angeles Lakers. He aboriginal won a title with the Detroit Pistons. 

He besides helped the Tigers triumph the 1989-90 ACC regular-season rubric and scope the Sweet 16 earlier being selected successful the archetypal circular of the 1990 NBA Draft by his hometown Lakers.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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