Brandon Clarke, a forward for the Memphis Grizzlies, has passed away at the age of 29. The team confirmed the news on Tuesday, though the cause of death has not been disclosed.
Clarke, born in Vancouver, Canada, entered the NBA in 2019 after being selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder with the 21st overall pick in the draft. He was traded to the Grizzlies just two weeks later and spent seven seasons with the Memphis franchise. Over his career, he averaged 10.2 points, 1.3 assists, and 5.5 rebounds per game.
“From high school to San Jose State, to Gonzaga, and then the Grizzlies, Brandon impacted everyone who was part of his life. Everyone loved BC because he was always there as the most supportive friend anyone could ask for,” said Priority Sports, the agency that managed his career.
In 2022, Clarke signed a four-year, $52 million contract extension with the Grizzlies. However, the following year, he suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon. Since that injury, he played only 72 of a possible 246 games for the team. This season, he appeared in just two games before the Grizzlies announced in March that he would miss the remainder of the season due to a right calf strain. He had already been recovering from knee surgery prior to the new injury.
Clarke also faced legal troubles in recent months. He was arrested on April 1 in Arkansas on charges including possession and trafficking of a controlled substance, attempting to flee from police, speeding, and improper passing. He was released the next day after posting bail. Authorities found him in possession of kratom, a plant promoted in the U.S. as an alternative supplement for pain, cough, diarrhea, anxiety, and depression. However, kratom is illegal in Arkansas, where the arrest occurred. The substance, native to Southeast Asia and related to the coffee plant, has been linked to 233 deaths in the U.S. between 2015 and 2025.
