7-for-4 Shot Blocking King, Mark Eaton, was always remembered for winning the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year twice. His team, Utah Jazz, announced his passing last Saturday in their official Twitter account. Utah Jazz commemorated him as a great man, mentor, and athlete and an “enduring figuring in the team’s history” as he made a significant impact on them and the community after his basketball career.
Eaton left home for a bike ride, when shortly after his departure, someone called 911 for a rescue, as they saw him lying unconscious on a roadway. As the team initiated an investigation, they have concluded that there was no vehicle involved in the incident.
It is noted that his discovery is purely by accident, as he was working as an auto mechanic until a community college convinced him to join them. From there, he was offered a scholarship at UCLA, until he was signed to be an official member of the Utah Jazz. The center player has an average of 5.6 in 1984-85 and 3.51 per game in his entire career. Since then, he stayed with the Jazz until the last moments of his basketball career.
Rudy Gobert, Eaton’s close friend, has posted that Eaton is an amazing human being and he’s forever grateful for his life. Condolences and sincere prayers went out to his wife and children. The Utah Coach said that Mark is a reliable friend, as he usually offers counsel and support to his colleagues.