The Summit County Sheriff announced Saturday morning that Former Utah Jazz player Mark Eaton died at the age of 64 after being found unconscious in a Summit County neighborhood.
According to the sheriff’s office, after receiving a 911 call shortly before 8:30pm Friday evening, Eaton was found lying unconscious on Long Rifle Road in Silver Summit.
In a statement by Summit County Sheriff's Lieutenant Andrew Wright, it appeared that Eaton was out riding a bicycle and crashed.
Eaton was transported to a hospital shortly after deputies and medical personnel arrived on scene. He died at the hospital.
According to the sheriff’s office, there were no witnesses to the crash and at this time there is nothing to suggest a vehicle was involved. Eaton’s official cause of death will be determined by the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner.
Eaton was drafted by the Jazz in the 1982 NBA draft and spent his entire 11-year career in Utah.
Eaton was twice named the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year in 1985 and 1989, was an NBA All-Star in 1989, and was widely regarded as one of the best defensive players in NBA history.
Eaton’s family has requested privacy while they mourn his death.
