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Tony Darden struggled to tell his 14-year-old son, AJ, that his inspiration is no longer here.
Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke, who Darden coached his senior year at Desert Vista High in 2014-15, died May 11 at age 29.
“It's tough for him going through it right now as well as I've had to, you know, tell him about that, but, you know, it's a part of growing up and hopefully Brandon’s legacy will live through my son now,” Darden said in an interview May 12 with The Republic.
Darden witnessed Clarke’s rise from being an unranked high school player with one scholarship offer going into his senior year to a first-round selection in the 2019 NBA Draft.
“You always have kids at some point that are talented and it's just a matter of them working hard enough for it to come to fruition,” Darden said. “Just to see it all come together for him, it was really rewarding. To be up there, you know, on draft night and be a part of that and just see the emotions from his parents, him and, it's just an amazing experience just to see that he made it.”
Clarke played all his seven NBA seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies after starting his college career at San Jose State and ending it at Gonzaga.
“There's a lot of people that doubted him that won't probably admit it at this point,” Darden added. “We had our community, our tight knit community that always believed like, hey, you're gonna make it.”
Darden is saddened over the passing of Clarke just like everyone else who loved him, but Darden is thankful and proud to have been a major part of his life.
“I'm just very happy that he got to fulfill his dream of making it to the NBA,” Darden said. “A lot of kids don't make it for whatever reason, and he was able to do that and be an example for a lot of young kids.”
Darden later added, "Please keep the family in your prayers."
Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks posted on Instagram a message to Clarke. They were teammates with the Grizzlies and both are from Canada. Clarke was born in Vancouver while Brooks is from Mississauga.
“Rest in peace my brother ... love you. You will always be remembered,” Brooks wrote, posting a picture of them together during a game.
ABC News reported May 12 that Clarke was found dead on May 11 from a possible drug overdose in a home in the San Fernando Valley, attributing the information to Los Angeles Police Department sources. Narcotics were found at the scene and there is no evidence of foul play, sources told ABC News.
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Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke, who Darden coached his senior year at Desert Vista High in 2014-15, died May 11 at age 29.
“It's tough for him going through it right now as well as I've had to, you know, tell him about that, but, you know, it's a part of growing up and hopefully Brandon’s legacy will live through my son now,” Darden said in an interview May 12 with The Republic.
Darden witnessed Clarke’s rise from being an unranked high school player with one scholarship offer going into his senior year to a first-round selection in the 2019 NBA Draft.
“You always have kids at some point that are talented and it's just a matter of them working hard enough for it to come to fruition,” Darden said. “Just to see it all come together for him, it was really rewarding. To be up there, you know, on draft night and be a part of that and just see the emotions from his parents, him and, it's just an amazing experience just to see that he made it.”
Clarke played all his seven NBA seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies after starting his college career at San Jose State and ending it at Gonzaga.
“There's a lot of people that doubted him that won't probably admit it at this point,” Darden added. “We had our community, our tight knit community that always believed like, hey, you're gonna make it.”
Darden is saddened over the passing of Clarke just like everyone else who loved him, but Darden is thankful and proud to have been a major part of his life.
“I'm just very happy that he got to fulfill his dream of making it to the NBA,” Darden said. “A lot of kids don't make it for whatever reason, and he was able to do that and be an example for a lot of young kids.”
Darden later added, "Please keep the family in your prayers."
Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks posted on Instagram a message to Clarke. They were teammates with the Grizzlies and both are from Canada. Clarke was born in Vancouver while Brooks is from Mississauga.
“Rest in peace my brother ... love you. You will always be remembered,” Brooks wrote, posting a picture of them together during a game.
ABC News reported May 12 that Clarke was found dead on May 11 from a possible drug overdose in a home in the San Fernando Valley, attributing the information to Los Angeles Police Department sources. Narcotics were found at the scene and there is no evidence of foul play, sources told ABC News.
Continue reading...
