College basketball analyst Chris Spatola dies at 47

Chris Spatola, an ESPN college basketball analyst, Army combat veteran and former Duke assistant coach, has died at 47. ESPN said he “passed away unexpectedly Monday,” while CBS News reported that he died Tuesday night. Neither outlet reported a cause of death.

Spatola was the son-in-law of former Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski. He played basketball at West Point, served in the Army during Operation Iraqi Freedom and helped coach Duke during its 2010 NCAA championship season before moving into broadcasting.

“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 said in a statement. The network described him as “thoughtful, prepared and passionate about the sport,” saying he earned the respect of colleagues, coaches, players and fans.

A two-time All-Patriot League player, Spatola played for Army from 1998 to 2002. NBC News reported that he ranks 10th on the program’s career scoring list, with 1,543 points in 111 games, an average of 13.9 per game. He also ranks fourth in career 3-pointers, making 238 of 637 attempts, or 37%.

Spatola served on active duty from 2002 to 2007, according to ESPN. CBS News reported that he was an Army captain who received commendation medals, including for his deployment during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

He joined Krzyzewski’s Duke staff in 2007 and remained through 2012. The Blue Devils won the NCAA championship in 2010, when current Duke head coach Jon Scheyer led the team in scoring. Spatola later worked as a commentator for ESPN and TNT and on SiriusXM radio, according to CBS News. NBC News reported that he had been with ESPN since 2015.

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Chris Spatola,” Duke men’s basketball said in a statement. “Chris was a beloved Army veteran, coach, broadcaster, and true friend to the Duke Basketball family.” The program offered condolences to his wife, Jamie, their three children and both families.

Jamie Spatola is Krzyzewski’s daughter and an author who has worked with her father on several books, CBS News reported. In a statement, the Krzyzewski family called Spatola “a devoted husband and father” and asked for privacy as the family grieves.

ESPN analyst Jay Bilas, who played for Krzyzewski at Duke, said he was devastated by the loss of his friend and colleague. “With Chris, it was never about him, it was only about the game, the players, the coaches, and the fans,” Bilas said.

Fellow ESPN broadcaster Rece Davis called Spatola “brilliant, funny, dedicated to his family, hoops and his crafts of coaching and broadcasting.”