ESPN Analyst Chris Spatola Passes Away at 47

Chris Spatola, known for his work as a college basketball analyst on ESPN, passed away at the age of 47. The announcement came Tuesday from the network.

Career in Basketball

Before joining ESPN, Spatola was a starting guard for the Army Black Knights. His basketball journey included a role as an assistant coach at Duke University under Hall of Fame coach Mike Krzyzewski, who is also Spatola’s father-in-law.

“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,” ESPN stated.

Spatola was admired for his thoughtful and passionate approach to basketball reporting, earning respect across the sport. ESPN has sent condolences to his family during this time.

Notable Achievements

During his collegiate career, Spatola led the Army team in scoring for three out of his four seasons and ended with a total of 1,543 points, placing him in the top ten of Army’s all-time scoring list. On January 14, 2023, he was seen calling a game between Baylor and Oklahoma State via cellphone after a power outage at the Ferrell Center.

Military Service

Following graduation, Spatola dedicated five years to active military service from 2002 to 2007. He took part in Operation Iraqi Freedom, earning the Joint Service Commendation Medal for his combat performance, along with the Army Commendation Medal for leadership.

Coaching Career

Spatola’s service extended to coaching, where he was part of Coach Krzyzewski’s staff at Duke from 2007 to 2012. His time there included the Blue Devils’ 2010 NCAA Division I men’s basketball championship win. Additionally, he contributed as a court coach when the U.S. men’s national team won a gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.