Mark Eaton Died: How Did Basketball Player Die?

The pivot 2.24 m and 64 years old went for a bike ride and did not return home

Mark Eaton, a former Utah Jazz player, has died at the age of 64, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania. The former NBA player, former All-Star, and two-time Defensive Player of the Year played 12 seasons with the Jazz (1982 to 1993) and the details and causes of his death are currently unknown.

Apparently, it would not be related to a health problem that he suffered for a long time. According to a report by Cristina Flores and David James of 2KUTV, Eaton was seen going for a bike ride on Friday night around 8 pm in Summit County and did not return home. It is not suspected for now that it is a criminal act, but the cause of his death is unknown.

The Jazz explained through a statement that police found Eaton on Friday lying on the road around 8:30 p.m. local time, after apparently crashing his bicycle in Summit County, Utah.

The news of his passing was a very hard blow for the entire NBA, especially for the Jazz, the team in which the 2.24m giant spent his entire career in the League. Mark Eaton was selected by the Utah franchise in the fourth round of the 1982 NBA Draft.

One of the best blockers in history

His career spanning 12 seasons, in which he won two NBA Defensive Player of the Year awards (1985 and 1989). With his combination of size and the good timing of his body and endless arms, Eaton became one of the best blockers in the history of the League. During the 1980s, he led the NBA’s blockers rankings four times (1984, 1985, 1987, 1988).

Eaton ended his NBA career in the 1992-93 season with averages of 6 points, 3.5 blocks, and 7.9 rebounds in 875 games, all with the Jazz, who retired their jersey with number 53 in the 1995 campaign. 96.

This morning the Jazz play Memphis and their lifelong team is expected to honor their disappearance with a pregame tribute.