By Kenneth Miller|Publisher
Former Morningside High School basketball star and Lakers player Elden Campbell has died, according to a report in the Los Angeles Times. He was 57 years old.
Campbell, the 6’11 City of Inglewood product, was recruited to Clemson University where he starred for three seasons before being drafted as the 27th pick in the first round of the 1990 NBA draft.
By all accounts he under achieved during this nearly nine seasons with his hometown professional team, and concluded his playing career after 15 seasons, on six teams and concluding with the Detroit Pistons in 2005.
MORNINGSIDE FOR LIFE–From left, Elden Campbell and his Morningside High School Carl Franklin and high school and NBA teammate Byron Scott during their Lakers career together.
The Lakers traded him before they went on their three-peat NBA title winning runs with the dominant tandem of Shaquille O’Neal and the late Kobe Bryant.
Morningside, which was recently closed down, also produced women’s great Lisa Leslie and NBA champion Byron Scott.
The Times first reported Campbell’s death, noting that the cause is unknown at this time.
“I just remember his demeanor. That’s why we nicknamed him ‘Easy E,’” Scott told The Times. “He was just so cool, nothing speeding him up. He was going to take his time. He was just easy. He was such a good dude. I loved Easy, man.”
