Eaton, who played his entire career with the Utah Jazz, was in a bicycle accident on Friday night and later died in a hospital
Photo: Mike Powell / Getty Images
Friday, November 15
The NBA mourns the death of Mark Eaton, a legendary 2.24 meter giant
One of the most intimidating giants in NBA history has died: Mark Eaton , who was a figure of the Utah Jazz in the the 80 and early 85, died after suffering a bicycle accident. I had 64 years.
Eaton, who stayed to live in Utah after the end of his career, apparently suffered a collision without collision with another vehicle Friday night in Summit County, Utah. He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Mark Eaton, born in Inglewood, California, came to the NBA by an unexpected path, as was discovered by a community college coach while working as an auto mechanic on 1977. After two years at Cypress College, in the Los Angeles area, he arrived at UCLA, the springboard to reach the NBA with the Utah Jazz at 1982.
The NBA mourns the passing of Mark Eaton, a Utah Jazz legend and former president of the Retired Players Association. Mark was an All-Star, two-time Defensive Player of the Year and beloved member of our league. We send our heartfelt condolences to his family and many friends. pic.twitter.com/7AjsqwMwpt
– NBA (@NBA) May 29, 2021
Eaton, who was 7-4 feet (2. 24 m), was an imposing man on the court that four times was the NBA’s block leader , including an average of 5.6 per game in the campaign of 1982 – 85, a league record.
On 11 seasons, all with Utah, averaged 6 points , 7.9 rebounds and 3.5 blocked. He was awarded NBA Defender of the Year in 1985 Y 1989 .
Jazz star center Rudy Gobert remembered Eaton as his mentor and friend.
To my great mentor and friend @ markeaton7ft4 , one of kind and an amazing human being, i’m grateful for your presence in my life over the years. Gonna miss our conversations. But i know you’ll be watching. pic.twitter.com/XDvEJTPCwp
– Rudy Gobert (@rudygobert 27 ) May 27, 2021
The NBA mourns the giant Eaton in the middle of the postseason.
