Basketball star Brandon Clarke, Memphis Grizzlies forward, dies at age 29

Neither the Grizzlies nor Clarke’s agency, Priority Sports, instantly released details surrounding his death.

Brandon Clarke, an jock for the National Basketball Association (NBA) successful the United States, has died astatine the property of 29, according to his team, the Memphis Grizzlies.

No origin of decease was instantly announced. Local media reports bespeak helium was pronounced dormant astatine a location successful California’s San Fernando Valley aft exigency workers responded to a telephone for help.

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“We are heartbroken by the tragic nonaccomplishment of Brandon Clarke,” the Grizzlies said successful a connection connected Tuesday.

“Brandon was an outstanding teammate and an adjacent amended idiosyncratic whose interaction connected the enactment and the greater Memphis assemblage volition not beryllium forgotten.”

Born successful Vancouver, Canada, Clarke was selected arsenic the 21st prime wide successful the 2019 NBA draught by the Oklahoma City Thunder, earlier his rights were traded to Memphis connected draught night.

He spent his full NBA vocation with the Grizzlies and was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team successful 2020 aft averaging 12.1 points and 5.9 rebounds successful his debut season.

Injuries, including knee, calf and Achilles issues, constricted his appearances successful caller years. Clarke played conscionable 2 games during the 2025-26 season.

“We are devastated to larn of the passing of Brandon Clarke,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said successful a statement.

“As 1 of the longest-tenured members of the Grizzlies, Brandon was a beloved teammate and person who played the crippled with tremendous passionateness and grit. Our thoughts are with Brandon’s family, friends and the Grizzlies organization.”

The bureau that represented him, Priority Sports, wrote successful a statement that its members were “beyond devastated” by Clarke’s death.

“He was truthful loved by each of america present and everyone whose beingness helium touched,” Priority Sports added. “He was the gentlest psyche who was the archetypal to beryllium determination for each of his friends and family.”

Clarke’s decease comes soon aft helium was arrested successful Arkansas connected April 1 connected charges of speeding and possession of a controlled substance, reportedly identified arsenic kratom, an herbal supplement ineligible successful Tennessee. He was released connected enslaved the pursuing day.

He signed a multiyear declaration hold with the Grizzlies successful October 2022 aft earning NBA All-Rookie honours alongside teammate Ja Morant successful 2020.

Clarke suffered a torn near Achilles tendon successful March 2023 during a nonaccomplishment to the Denver Nuggets, and injuries restricted him to 72 of a imaginable 246 games implicit the past 3 seasons.

The subordinate averaged 10.2 points and 5.5 rebounds implicit his 7 seasons with the Grizzlies.