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Clemson Men’s Basketball: Throwback Thursday – Elden Campbell

By John Chancey

COLLEGE PARK,MD - JANUARY 9: Elden Campbell #41 of the Clemson Tigers takes a shot during a college basketball game against the Maryland Terrapins on January 9, 1988 at Cole Filed House in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
COLLEGE PARK,MD - JANUARY 9: Elden Campbell #41 of the Clemson Tigers takes a shot during a college basketball game against the Maryland Terrapins on January 9, 1988 at Cole Filed House in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /
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Throwback Thursday features a great Tiger athlete from the past. Today it features the school’s all-time leader in several categories for Clemson Men’s Basketball.

Elden Campbell – Center, 1986-1990

  • 123 games played (85 started)
  • 15.3 points/game
  • 6.8 rebounds/game
  • 2.7 blocks/game

Elden Campbell was the starting center for the Clemson Tigers the last time they won a regular season ACC championship in 1989-90.

Campbell played high school basketball for Morningside High School in Inglewood, California. Clemson coach Cliff Ellis recruited Campbell to come across the continent to play for the Tigers.

While he primarily came off the bench as a freshman, Campbell was an immediate contributor when he arrived in 1986, playing in 31 games. The ’86 team was anchored by future NBA champion Horace Grant.

By his sophomore year, he was the team’s starting center. Over the next three seasons, he started 82 of the 92 games he played in for Clemson. The team improved each season Campbell started.

As a senior, he led the Tigers to a 10-4 record in conference play, earning them a regular-season ACC championship. The Tigers entered the NCAA tournament as the 5th seed in the East Region.

The Tigers defeated the 12th seed BYU and the 4th seed LaSalle in Hartford, Connecticut to make it to the Sweet Sixteen. Clemson traveled to East Rutherford, New Jersey to face the No. 1 seed in the regional, the UConn Huskies.

Elden Campbell was on the floor for one of the most infamous moments Clemson Men’s Basketball history

Clemson held a one-point lead with just a few seconds remaining. As Campbell guarded the inbound pass, UConn got the ball to Tate George, who nailed a two-point shot to crush the Tigers’ hopes of playing for a spot in the Final Four.

Campbell was named an honorable mention All-American by the AP, UPI and Sporting News following the season.

Campbell was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1990 NBA Draft. He played for the Lakers for almost nine full seasons before he was traded to the Charlotte Hornets. He finished his career with Seattle, Detroit, and New Jersey.

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