Memphis Grizzlies Forward, 7-Season NBA Veteran Brandon Clarke Dies At 29

NBA staff and agents announced Tuesday that Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke has died, and an autopsy is planned to determine the exact cause, a person familiar with the circumstances of the ongoing investigation said.

The person, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity, said Clarke, 29, was found dead in a Los Angeles-area home on Monday, and emergency personnel at the scene found drug paraphernalia in the home.

Neither the Grizzlies nor Clarke’s agency, Priority Sports, released any details about the cause of Clarke’s death.

“We are heartbroken over the tragic loss of Brandon Clarke. Brandon was an outstanding teammate and an even better person whose impact on the organization and the Memphis community will not be forgotten,” the Grizzlies said in a statement.

Their representatives wrote on social media that they were “beyond devastated.”

“He was loved by all of us here and everyone whose lives he touched,” Priority Sports said in a statement. “He was the kindest soul, the first one around all his friends and family.”

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver expressed his sympathy to Clarke’s family and friends and the Grizzlies organization.

“We were devastated to learn of the passing of Brandon Clarke,” Silver said. “One of the longest-tenured members of the Grizzlies, Brandon was a beloved teammate and leader who played the game with tremendous passion and courage.”

Clarke was selected with the 21st pick among Gonzaga in the 2019 NBA Draft, when Oklahoma City distributed his rights to the Grizzlies.

He finished fourth in the 2019-20 Rookie of the Year voting — Grizzlies teammate Ja Morant was the overwhelming winner of that award — and also finished 11th in the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year voting for the 2021-22 season.

Clarke averaged 10.2 points and 5.5 rebounds in 309 career NBA games.

He averaged 16.9 points in one season at Gonzaga and started his college career at San Jose State before transferring there. At Gonzaga, he was a big part of the team that also included Rui Hachimura (now with the Los Angeles Lakers) and went 33-4.

“He had such a kind, gentle and warm spirit that I will remember that amazing smile on his face whenever I was around him,” read a statement from Gonzaga and coach Mark Few. “BC was one of the most adaptable players we have ever had and was part of one of the best teams in our program history.”

Clarke was arrested April 1 in Arkansas for allegedly speeding and possession of a controlled substance, kratom. The substance was an herbal supplement promoted as an alternative pain medication that became illegal in Tennessee as of July 1. He was released on bail a day later.

Health officials are warning about the risks of an opioid-related chemical known as 7-hydroxymitragynine and a component of kratom. The herb, native to Southeast Asia, gained popularity in the United States as an unapproved treatment for pain, anxiety and drug addiction.

A federal report in 2019 found that overdose deaths caused by the herbal supplement kratom were more common than previously reported. Many of those who died had also used heroin, fentanyl or others, but authorities counted several instances where kratom was the only substance listed.

“I love you broski. Gone too soon,” Morant wrote in an Instagram post on Tuesday.

Clarke joined Morant on the NBA All-Rookie team in 2020, and the Grizzlies gave him a multi-year contract extension in October 2022.

However, injuries plagued him for more than three years. On March 3, 2023, he tore his left Achilles tendon in a loss to the Denver Nuggets, then the top two teams in the Western Conference. Injuries have limited him to 72 of a possible 246 games over the last three seasons; Only two are included this season.

“This is an incredible loss for the fraternity,” the National Basketball Players Association said. “We will remember Brandon not only for the great joy he brought to so many people throughout his career, but also for the true friendships he formed far beyond basketball.”

Clarke was under contract with Memphis for the 2026-27 season and went 25-57 this season. The San Antonio Spurs paid tribute to Clarke ahead of Tuesday night’s playoff game, on behalf of both himself and former NBA player Jason Collins, whose death was announced Tuesday.

The Spurs said Clarke’s “leadership and passion have earned him respect in the Memphis community and throughout the league.”