ESPN College Basketball Analyst Chris Spatola Dies at 47
ESPN announced that college basketball analyst Chris Spatola died unexpectedly at age 47; he was a former Army player, veteran, and former Duke staff member.
ESPN confirmed on Tuesday that its college basketball analyst Chris Spatola died unexpectedly on Monday at the age of 47. The network said Spatola brought a unique perspective to its coverage, drawing on his background as a former student-athlete, Army veteran, coach and broadcaster.
Spatola played four seasons at the United States Military Academy, graduating in 2002 after scoring 1,543 points, the tenth-highest total in school history. He later served on the Duke coaching staff from 2007 to 2012, including the 2010 national championship season, working under his father-in-law, coach Mike Krzyzewski. He joined ESPN as a college basketball analyst in 2015.
"Chris Spatola brought a unique perspective to ESPN’s college basketball coverage, shaped by his experiences as a student-athlete, Army veteran, coach and broadcaster," the network said in a statement.
"I am devastated over the passing of my friend and colleague Chris Spatola," ESPN analyst Jay Bilas posted on social media, adding that Spatola was a former point guard at West Point, an Army combat veteran and a devoted family man.
Spatola is survived by his wife Jamie and their children.