Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke has died, according to an announcement from his agency, Priority Sports (Twitter link).
Clarke, who has spent the past seven seasons in Memphis after being selected with the 21st pick in the 2019 draft, was 29 years old.
“We are all beyond devastated by the passing of Brandon Clarke,” his agency’s statement reads. “He was so loved by all of us here, and everyone whose life he touched. He was the gentlest soul who was the first to be there for all of his friends and family. Our hearts are so broken as we think about his mom, Whitney, his entire family, and all of his friends and teammates. From high school to San Jose State to Gonzaga to the Grizzlies, Brandon impacted everyone who was part of his life.
“Everyone loved BC because he was always there as the most supportive friend you could ever imagine. He was so unique in the joy he brought to all of those in his life. It’s just impossible to put into words how much he’ll be missed. We love you, BC.”
According to Dennis Broad of NBC Los Angeles, the L.A. Fire Department received a 911 call about a medical emergency late on Monday afternoon. When responders arrived on the scene, they declared Clarke dead. Drug paraphernalia was found at the home and the incident is being treated as a possible overdose, with an autopsy to come in order to confirm the cause of death.
A Canadian power forward who played his college ball at San Jose State and Gonzaga, Clarke was named the WCC Defensive Player of the Year in his final season with the Zags, then made the All-Rookie first team during his first professional season with the Grizzlies. He immediately emerged as a rotation player in Memphis, averaging 10.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 21.3 minutes per game across 237 contests (29 starts) in his first four years in the NBA.
However, Clarke’s fourth season came to an early end when he suffered a left Achilles tear in March 2023. That injury kept him sidelined for most of the ’23/24 season as well.
Clarke was back in the Grizzlies’ rotation in 2024/25, averaging 18.9 MPG and matching his career high with 64 appearances, but he once again saw his season come to an end in March when he suffered a PCL sprain in his right knee. The 6’8″ forward underwent an arthroscopic procedure last September to address synovitis in that same knee, and while he was able to briefly return to action in December, he played in just two games before sustaining a calf strain that sidelined him for the rest of ’25/26.
In total, Clarke appeared in 309 regular season games and another 12 playoff contests during his time in Memphis. He and Ja Morant were the Grizzlies’ longest-tenured players.
According to Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal, Clarke was also involved in the Memphis community off the court, having launched the Brandon Clarke Foundation in 2025. The non-profit was aimed at supporting local families, mothers, and children, with a focus on literacy and community resources.
Roughly a month-and-a-half ago, Clarke was arrested in Cross County, Arkansas, on charges of trafficking a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, fleeing in a vehicle exceeding the speed limit, and improper passing. He was released on bond the following day.
Subsequent reporting indicated that over 230 grams of kratom were allegedly found in his possession after he led local deputies on a “miles-long chase” while driving over 100 miles per hour. Kratom, described by the Mayo Clinic as a herbal extract that can act as a stimulant at lower doses and a sedative for pain relief at higher doses, is legal in Tennessee but is considered a Schedule 1 controlled substance in Arkansas.
The Grizzlies and the NBA (Twitter links) have put out statements confirming Clarke’s passing. The Grizzlies referred to Clarke as “an outstanding teammate and an even better person” who had a significant impact on the greater Memphis community, while commissioner Adam Silver called him a “beloved teammate and leader who played the game with enormous passion and grit.”
We at Hoops Rumors send our sincerest condolences to Clarke’s family and friends.
Horrible news. RIP and may your memory be cherished forever.
Omg. This is awful news.
Truly horrific. No one deserves to die, but especially not that young. RIP.
Completely out of the blue. My condolences to the family. People shouldn’t be dying that young :/
For real , this is super sad
Wow, I can’t believe it. RIP Brandon Clarke
Whoa. That’s sad to hear.
RIP. Gone way too soon
Way too soon. What a shame. Rip
Man this sucks. RIP BC.
O D’d? Oh dear. I hope that report is wrong. But dead is dead no matter the cause.
Wtf
Has to be suicide that’s horrible
This is most likely incorrect speculation. LAPD is investigating it as a suspected overdose. Very sad no matter how it occurred.
I hope he can rest in peace. Clarke was a lot of fun to watch at Gonzaga and seemed like a great person, despite his troubles.
I was so sad the Celtics traded him when he got drafted.
May he rest in peace and find happiness in a better place. I’m just curious as to how he died. I hope I’m not being disrespectful by asking that
He had this stuff in his possession when he was arrested recently…
“FDA Issues Warning Against Kratom, a Plant-Based Substance With Deadly Side Effects.”
Might not be related to his passing.., we don’t know, but could be more pieces to the complicated puzzle of this young man’s life?
It’s being reported that he overdosed. Drugs found at the scene nothing suspicious. That’s at least what ESPN’s story says
RIP. I really enjoyed watching him at Gonzaga, and it was great to read about the good he did for his community.
Damn. Horrible. No one should be going that young. What a tragedy. RIP.
Prolly got addicted to pain killers after all those injuries. Poor guy….
However it happened 29 is too young to go. Sounds like he needed some help but for whatever reason didn’t get it. However strong you think you are you’re never too strong to get some help when you need it. RIP. Hopefully somebody sees this and gets the help they need. Sad.
RIP Brandon Clarke 🙏
Too young man. Reports are it is being investigated as a drug overdose. Just sad.
A true tragedy. Too soon, too soon.
Rest in peace. I hope his family can find some peace after this, drug overdoses are such a horrible thing
I’m way too young for anyone to die at an age younger than mine. Tragic.
Yet another reminder that no matter how wealthy, accomplished, or popular one might be, we’re all ultimately human and none of us is immune from issues like addiction, mental health struggles, etc. Whatever you might be going through or feel like you’re going through, you’re not alone. Someone, somewhere understands and shares in your pain.
RIP BC! As someone who lost a 1/2 sister to an OD exactly a year ago it’s easy to relate to what his family must be going through right now, assuming the initial reports are accurate.
Sorry man I feel your pain. Lost a brother to a fentanyl od it’s rough
This sucks, rest in peace
RIP. We all appreciated you
Rest In Peace
2 in 1 day Jason Collins just passed.
Man what awful news to wake up to. Be kind to those you love, life is fragile.
Cops in Arkansas wouldn’t know Kratom is. Just tell them it’s ivermectin and you are good.
Rip
Absolutley devastating, as a bucks fan, I send my condolences to his teammates, friends, families, and the Grizziles.