ESPN College Basketball Analyst Chris Spatola, Son-in-Law of Mike Krzyzewski, Dies at 47

Chris Spatola, a respected college basketball analyst for ESPN and son-in-law of former Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski, died on Monday at the age of 47. Both ESPN and Duke announced his passing, though they did not release a cause of death.

Spatola brought a unique perspective to his analysis, shaped by his experiences as a student-athlete, Army veteran, coach, and broadcaster. He joined ESPN in 2015, providing commentary for both game and studio productions. His work also extended to SiriusXM, where he contributed to college sports coverage.

Before his broadcasting career, Spatola served as an assistant coach at Duke from 2007 to 2012. During his tenure, the Blue Devils secured an NCAA title in 2010 and won four ACC tournament titles. His collegiate playing career saw him as a four-year starter at West Point, where he led Army in scoring for three years and ranks 10th all-time with 1,543 career points.

Spatola's commitment to service extended beyond the court. He served on active duty from 2002 to 2007, including a deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. For his exceptional combat performance, he received the Joint Service Commendation Medal, and for his outstanding leadership, he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal. He also served as a court coach for U.S. basketball teams that earned gold medals at the 2008 Olympics and the 2010 FIBA World Championship. Spatola is survived by his wife, Jamie, daughter of Mike Krzyzewski, and their three children.