Former ACB and NBA player Robert Archibald dies at 39

The Scottish expivot Robert Archibald, who played in clubs such as Valencia Basket, Joventut, Unicaja Málaga or Zaragoza, has died this morning at 39.

Archibald, the first Scot to play in the NBA, trained at the University of Illinois and debuted in the best basketball league in the world with Memphis Grizzlies, in 2002, coinciding as 'rookie' with Pau Gasol.

After that, the British went through Phoenix Suns (2003), Orlando Magic (2003) and Toronto Raptors (2003-04) before joining Valencia Basket in 2004. After playing only seven games with the taronja fichó for the Italian Scavolini Pesaro , and in 2005 he returned to the Endesa League with Joventut.

In his two seasons with the 'Penya' he averaged 7.4 points and 3.8 rebounds and conquered the FIBA ​​EuroChallenge. Azovmash Mauripol (2007-2008), Unicaja Málaga (2008-11) and CAI Zaragoza (2011-12) were his next teams before retiring after the 2012 London Olympics.

All his teams have shown their regret for his death, of which the causes are still unknown. “Terrible news. Our former player Robert Archibald dies at 39. From Unicaja Basketball we want to express our deepest condolences to his family and friends. DEP,” said the Malaga entity.

“Robert Archibald has left us at the age of 39, former player of the Joventut Badalona Club between 2005 and 2007. We are dismayed by this terrible news. We want to express our deepest condolences to family and friends,” said the Catalan club.

Casademont Zaragoza also expressed his “sadness” for the death of the Scotsman, as did Valencia Basket, who highlighted the “pity” of losing such a young man.