05/13/26 08:39:00
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05/13 08:37 CDT Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke, a veteran of 7 NBA
seasons, dies at 29
Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke, a veteran of 7 NBA seasons, dies at 29
By TIM REYNOLDS
AP Basketball Writer
Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke has died, the NBA team and his agents
announced Tuesday, and a person familiar with the investigation into his death
said an autopsy was planned to determine the exact cause.
The 29-year-old Clarke was found dead Monday at a home in the Los Angeles area,
and emergency personnel who responded to the scene found drug paraphernalia in
the home, said the person, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of
anonymity because those details were not released publicly.
Neither the Grizzlies nor Clarke's agency, Priority Sports, provided any
details about the nature of Clarke's death.
"We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of Brandon Clarke. Brandon was an
outstanding teammate and an even better person whose impact on the organization
and the greater Memphis community will not be forgotten," read a statement from
the Grizzlies.
His agents wrote on social media that they were "beyond devastated."
"He was so loved by all of us here and everyone whose life he touched," read
the statement from Priority Sports. "He was the gentlest soul who was the first
to be there for all of his friends and family."
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver expressed sympathies to Clarke's family and
friends and the Grizzlies organization.
"We are devastated to learn of the passing of Brandon Clarke," Silver said. "As
one of the longest-tenured members of the Grizzlies, Brandon was a beloved
teammate and leader who played the game with enormous passion and grit."
Clarke was the 21st overall pick out of Gonzaga in the 2019 NBA draft by
Oklahoma City, which dealt his rights to the Grizzlies.
He was fourth in the 2019-20 Rookie of the Year balloting --- his Grizzlies
teammate Ja Morant was the overwhelming winner of that award --- and was 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 his one season at Gonzaga, transferring there after
starting his college career at San Jose State. At Gonzaga, he was a huge part
of a team that also had Rui Hachimura --- now with the Los Angeles Lakers ---
and went 33-4.
"He had such a kind, gentle and warm soul, and I will remember the great smile
he had on his face whenever you were around him," read a statement from Gonzaga
and its coach, Mark Few. "BC was one of the most easygoing players we have ever
had, and he was part of one of the greatest teams in our program's history."
Clarke was arrested April 1 in Arkansas for speeding and possession of a
controlled substance that was reportedly kratom, an herbal supplement promoted
as an alternative pain remedy that becomes illegal in Tennessee as of July 1.
He was released on bond a day later.
Health officials have been warning about the risks of an opioid-related
chemical known as 7-hydroxymitragynine and a component of kratom. The plant
native to Southeast Asia has gained popularity in the U.S. as an unapproved
treatment for pain, anxiety and drug dependence.
A federal report in 2019 found overdose deaths involving kratom were more
common than previously reported. Most who died had also taken heroin, fentanyl
or others, though officials counted a few instances in which kratom was the
only substance listed.
"love you broski. gone way too soon," Morant wrote in an Instagram post Tuesday.
Clarke joined Morant on the NBA's All-Rookie team in 2020, and the Grizzlies
gave him a multiyear contract extension in October 2022.
But injuries dogged him for more than three years. He tore his left Achilles
tendon on March 3, 2023, in a loss to the Denver Nuggets in a showdown of what
were then the top two teams in the Western Conference. Injuries limited him to
72 of a possible 246 games over the past three seasons, including only two this
season.
"This is an incredible loss for the brotherhood," the National Basketball
Players Association said. "We will remember Brandon not only for the immense
joy he brought to so many throughout his career, but for the genuine
friendships he built far beyond basketball."
Clarke was under contract for the 2026-27 season with Memphis, which went 25-57
this season. The San Antonio Spurs paid tribute to Clarke with a moment of
silence --- both for him and former NBA player Jason Collins, whose death was
announced Tuesday --- before a playoff game Tuesday night.
Clarke's "leadership and passion earned him respect throughout the Memphis
community and around the league," the Spurs said.
___
AP Sports Writers Teresa M. Walker and Anne M. Peterson contributed to this
report.
___
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA
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