Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke has died at the age of 29, the team, his agency Priority Sports, and the NBA confirmed Tuesday. Clarke was found dead Monday, May 12, 2026, at a home in Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley, with emergency personnel who responded to the scene discovering narcotics and drug paraphernalia at the location. LAPD sources told ABC News the death was being investigated as a possible drug overdose with no evidence of foul play, though the Los Angeles Medical Examiner’s website currently lists Clarke’s cause of death as “deferred” pending additional investigation. The Grizzlies said in a statement that they “are heartbroken by the tragic loss” of Clarke, calling him “an outstanding teammate and an even better person whose impact on the organization and the greater Memphis community will not be forgotten”.
Drafted 21st overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2019 and traded to Memphis on draft night, Clarke spent his entire seven-year NBA career with the Grizzlies. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2020 after averaging 12.1 points and 5.9 rebounds on 61.8 percent shooting, and he finished fourth in Rookie of the Year voting that season. Over 309 career games, he averaged 10.2 points and 5.5 rebounds while shooting 60.5 percent from the field, becoming known for his energy, versatility, and role as a key piece of the Grizzlies’ playoff teams in the early 2020s. He received votes for Sixth Man of the Year in 2022.
Injuries limited Clarke’s availability in recent seasons. He tore his left Achilles tendon in March 2023 and played in only 72 of a possible 246 games over the past three years. Knee and calf issues restricted him to just two appearances during the 2025-26 season before he was ruled out for the year with a high-grade PCL sprain in March. On April 1, 2026, he was arrested in Cross County, Arkansas, and charged with 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 one day later.
Beyond basketball, Clarke was deeply involved in the Memphis community. He founded the Brandon Clarke Foundation to support families dealing with tragedy and regularly visited local schools to emphasize the importance of education. Grizzlies guard Scotty Pippen Jr. described Clarke as “my guy” and “the kind of big brother he never had,” recalling how Clarke embraced him when he first joined the team and helped him through difficult days. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver called Clarke “a beloved teammate and leader who played the game with enormous passion and grit,” while the National Basketball Players Association said his death was “an incredible loss for the brotherhood”. Born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Clarke played college basketball at San Jose State before transferring to Gonzaga, where he starred alongside Rui Hachimura on a 33-4 team during the 2018-19 season.
