Chris Spatola, a college basketball analyst for ESPN and SiriusXM, Army veteran and former Duke staff member, died unexpectedly Monday at age 47.
Duke and ESPN confirmed his death in separate statements, according to Kevin Skiver of USA Today. A cause of death was not announced.
Spatola was married to Jamie Krzyzewski, the daughter of longtime Blue Devils coach Mike Krzyzewski. The couple had three children.
“There are no words to adequately express our heartbreak over the loss of our beloved Chris Spatola,” the Krzyzewski family said in a statement.
The family remembered Spatola as a devoted husband and father who served his country and held an important place within their lives. It also requested privacy, particularly for his wife and children, as they grieve.
Spatola played college basketball at Army, where he was a four-year starter. After graduating, he served in the U.S. Army before joining Krzyzewski’s Duke staff in 2007.
He remained with the program through 2012 and was part of its 2010 national championship season. Current Duke coach Jon Scheyer played on that title-winning team.
Spatola later built a career in broadcasting, spending more than a decade covering college basketball for ESPN and SiriusXM. He was known for bringing the perspective of a former player, coach and service member to his analysis.
Duke described him as a sharp-witted and deeply passionate member of its basketball family, including through his work with the K Academy.
Spatola’s family expressed gratitude for the support it has received following his death.
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