# ESPN Pays Tribute to Chris Spatola

> ESPN honors Army star and Duke assistant Chris Spatola who died unexpectedly at 47.
- Title: ESPN Pays Tribute to Chris Spatola · Yahoo Sports | Shortify
- Summary: ESPN honors Army star and Duke assistant Chris Spatola who died unexpectedly at 47. ESPN paid emotional tribute to Chris Spatola, a former Army star and Duke…
- Keywords: chris spatola, army, duke, espn, college basketball, death, sports, Pays, Tribute, Chris, Spatola, Yahoo Sports
- Source: Yahoo Sports — https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/espn-pays-emotional-tribute-army-013401722.html
- Published: 2026-11-03T01:34:01+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: chris spatola, army, duke, espn, college basketball, death, sports
## Chris Spatola's Legacy
ESPN paid emotional tribute to Army star and Duke assistant Chris Spatola who died unexpectedly at 47.
## Spatola's Career Highlights
Spatola led Army to 1,543 career points, ranking No. 10 all-time, and helped Duke win 2010 championship.
## Friends Remember Spatola
Bilas, a former Blue Devil, called Spatola a 'badass' and 'incredibly thoughtful human being'.

> Bilas, a former Blue Devil and close friend of Spatola, remembered Spatola for being "a badass" and "an incredibly thoughtful human being"
## Duke and Army Honor Spatola
Duke and Army wore warm-up shirts with Spatola's initials on sleeves during moment of silence.
## Key takeaway

ESPN paid emotional tribute to Chris Spatola, a former Army star and Duke assistant who died suddenly at age 47.