Chris Spatola, a respected ESPN college basketball analyst, has died at the age of 47, as announced by the network on Tuesday. Spatola’s journey in sports began as a starting guard for the Army Black Knights, following which he transitioned into coaching as an assistant at Duke University under Hall of Fame coach Mike Krzyzewski, who was also his father-in-law.

In a statement, ESPN highlighted, “Chris Spatola brought a unique perspective to ESPN’s college basketball coverage, influenced by his experiences as a student-athlete, Army veteran, coach, and broadcaster. He was thoughtful, prepared, and passionate about the sport, earning the respect of colleagues, coaches, players, and fans alike. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his loved ones during this difficult time.”

Spatola was a standout player during his college years, leading Army in scoring for three out of his four seasons and accumulating 1,543 points, placing him among the top 10 scorers in Army’s history.

After completing his college education, Spatola dedicated five years to active duty service from 2002 to 2007, during which he participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom. His performance in combat was recognized with the Joint Service Commendation Medal and the Army Commendation Medal for his exceptional leadership.

Between 2007 and 2012, Spatola was part of the coaching staff at Duke University. During his tenure, the Blue Devils secured the 2010 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship, with Spatola as an assistant coach. In addition, he contributed as a court coach for the U.S. men’s national basketball team under Krzyzewski during the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where the team earned a gold medal.