7-foot-4 center Mark Eaton was a defensive star who played his entire career for the Utah Jazz. He holds the NBA record for most blocks per game in a career and was a two-time NBA defensive player of the year. Eaton was discovered by a junior college coach in California who noticed him when he was driving by a tire store where Eaton was a mechanic. He played in junior college and transferred to UCLA, then was drafted by the Jazz in 1982. After his playing career, he became a successful restaurant owner.
Eaton wasn’t sure he wanted to play basketball
“I was making $20,000 a year and I didn’t see any point in giving that up to go to college.” – Salt Lake Tribune
Tributes to Mark Eaton
We are heartbroken by the passing of Utah Jazz legend Mark Eaton.
Our thoughts are with his family as we all mourn the loss of a great man, mentor, athlete and staple of the community. pic.twitter.com/HkINyLF9ix
Rest In Peace to former NBA player and Utah center Mark Eaton. Cookie and I are praying for his family 🙏🏾
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) May 29, 2021
Mark Eaton… My protector, my mentor, my friend, my brother. I’m devastated you’ve left us too soon. Thank you for what you left with me. ❤️🙏🏽🤜🏾 pic.twitter.com/DjobVnF4aL
I can't believe Mark Eaton passed away. I loved that guy. There wasn't a nicer person on this planet. Whenever I asked him a question he'd GIVE me everything he had and even things I didn't ask for.
Senior producer, Legacy.com. Dedicated daily to memorializing notable personalities. After work hours guitarist, DJ, record label owner and New York style pizza aficionado.
