Elden Campbell grew up watching the very team he’d play for in his years-long basketball career as a Los Angeles native. The former Lakers center played in the NBA for 15 years before retiring in 2005. Twenty years later, Campbell died on December 2, 2025. As sports fans and colleagues grapple with the news, many are wondering what happened to Campbell and what his cause of death was.
Magic Johnson, one of Campbell’s former teammates, paid tribute to his late friend by calling him a “gentle soul.”
“I just received devastating news that my former Lakers teammate and friend Elden Campbell has passed away,” Johnson tweeted on December 3, 2025. “He was such a gentle soul. As a basketball player, he was extremely athletic. I loved throwing lobs to Elden because he could jump out the gym and had so much talent! Cookie and I are praying for his family and Lakers Nation as they mourn during this difficult time. Rest in peace, Big E!”
RIP Big Easy 🙏 pic.twitter.com/0PtBnKXAmK
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) December 3, 2025
Campbell was 57 when he died in December 2025.
Campbell had no known health issues toward the end of his life.
Per the Los Angeles Times, Campbell’s cause of death is still unknown.
