Through the 2024-25 season, the Los Angeles Lakers have had a total of 506 players suit up for them, going back to their days in Minneapolis. Some were forgettable, some were serviceable, some were good and a select few were flat-out legendary.
During the Lakers’ 80th season of existence (they were founded back in 1946 as the Detroit Gems in the National Basketball League), LeBron Wire is taking a look at each player who has worn their jersey, whether it has been a purple and gold one or the ones they donned back in the Midwest during their early years.
In 1990, the Lakers were seemingly in a moment of transition after winning five NBA championships in the 1980s. Michael Cooper ended his NBA career that offseason, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had retired a year earlier, Mychal Thompson was on his last legs and legendary coach Pat Riley exited that spring. They needed help in their frontcourt, and so they took Elden Campbell with the No. 27 pick in the draft.
Campbell was seven feet tall and played at Clemson University after growing up in Inglewood just blocks away from The Forum, the Lakers’ home arena back then. He had intriguing and promising natural skills, as he had leaping ability and could rebound, block shots and score inside at a relatively high level.
It took him a few years to become a regular starter, but once he did, he consistently averaged double figures in scoring and was one of the league’s leading shot-blockers. However, Campbell was constantly dogged by a reputation for being lazy and not caring, and he had a natural countenance that suggested he was always drifting or floating and merely getting by on his natural ability.
Still, the big man averaged a respectable 10.4 points on 46.7% shooting, 5.8 rebounds and 1.7 blocks in 25 minutes a game during his time with the Lakers. Midway through the 1999 season, he was sent to the Charlotte Hornets along with fan-favorite Eddie Jones for sharpshooter Glen Rice. While Rice helped L.A. win the NBA title the following season, he was clearly past his prime, and the trade that brought him to town became controversial.
Meanwhile, Campbell remained in the league until 2005, and he earned a world championship ring with the Detroit Pistons in 2004. Ironically, the Pistons won that title against the Lakers.
He retired with career averages of 10.3 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in 24.7 minutes a game. Tragically, he died at age 57 on Dec. 1, 2025, in South Florida due to an accidental drowning.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Lakers jersey history No. 41 — Elden Campbell
Reporting by Robert Marvi, LeBron Wire / LeBron Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
