Chris Spatola, College Basketball Analyst and Radio Host, Dies at 47
Spatola, who previously played at Army and served as an assistant coach at Duke, was a familiar voice on ESPN and SiriusXM.
Chris Spatola, a longtime college basketball analyst and radio host, has died at the age of 47. His passing was confirmed by ESPN on Monday night.
Spatola was a prominent figure in college basketball coverage, known for his insights on ESPN and SiriusXM. The Worldwide Leader released a statement remembering his contributions.
"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 statement read. "He was thoughtful, prepared and passionate about the sport, earning the respect of colleagues, coaches, players and fans alike. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his loved ones during this difficult time."
Before his broadcasting career, Spatola was a four-year starter for the Army basketball team from 1998 to 2002. Following his time at West Point and a period of service in the U.S. Army, he joined the coaching staff at Duke University as an assistant under coach Mike Krzyzewski.
The cause of Spatola's death was not immediately known.