Brandon Clarke, forward for the Memphis Grizzlies, has died at the age of 29. The news was confirmed Tuesday by the NBA and the Memphis franchise. At this time, the cause of death has not been officially released, but it may have been a drug overdose.
In a statement, the Grizzlies said "devastated" With this loss, fans paid tribute to a beloved player in the locker room and a prominent figure in the Memphis community. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver also honored Clarke, describing him as a cherished teammate and a leader who played with great commitment.
Brandon Clarke was drafted 21st overall in 2019 by the Oklahoma City Thunder before being immediately traded to Memphis. He then spent his entire NBA career with the Grizzlies. In his first season, he established himself as one of the league's most effective rookies, earning a spot on the NBA All-Rookie Team.
Throughout his career, Clarke played 309 NBA games, averaging around 10,2 points and 5,5 rebounds per game. In recent seasons, he had been hampered by several injuries, notably to his knee and calf, and had played very little recently.
Born in Vancouver, Canada, Brandon Clarke played NCAA basketball at San Jose State and then Gonzaga, where he made a name for himself before joining the NBA. His agency, Priority Sports, paid tribute to him, describing him as a kind person, deeply loved by his family, teammates, and everyone he knew.
