NBA star Brandon Clarke died from heroin, cocaine effects, examiner rules

Memphis Grizzlies ⁠forward Brandon Clarke’s ⁠May 11 decease ruled accidental, with effects of heroin and cocaine cited.

The Los Angeles County ‌Department of Medical Examiner reported connected Friday ⁠that Memphis Grizzlies ⁠forward Brandon Clarke died owed to the effects of heroin and cocaine.

The aesculapian examiner ruled Clarke’s ⁠May 11 death an accident. The combined effects of aggregate medicine medications were besides identified arsenic a important contributing ⁠condition, though the circumstantial medications were not disclosed. The afloat aesculapian examiner’s study has not yet been released.

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Clarke, 29, was discovered unresponsive successful a chamber astatine a residence ‌in California’s San Fernando Valley and was pronounced dormant astatine the country by paramedics. The aesculapian examiner conducted an introspection the pursuing time earlier formally certifying the origin and mode of decease connected Friday.

Clarke spent his seven-year NBA vocation with Memphis aft finishing ⁠his assemblage vocation astatine Gonzaga. He averaged ⁠10.2 points and 5.5 rebounds implicit 309 games (50 starts) and finished 4th successful Rookie of the Year voting successful 2019-20.

Injuries constricted Clarke during ⁠his last seasons. He missed much than a twelvemonth aft tearing an Achilles ⁠tendon successful 2023 and appeared successful ⁠only 2 games during the 2025-26 run due to the fact that of genu and calf ailments.

About six weeks earlier his death, Clarke was arrested successful Arkansas ‌on charges that included possession and trafficking of a controlled substance pursuing a postulation stop.

Following Clarke’s death, the Grizzlies ‌remembered ‌him arsenic an “outstanding teammate and an adjacent amended person” whose power extended beyond the organisation and into the Memphis community.