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Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke died, his agency announced. He was 29.
Clarke’s agency, Priority Sports, confirmed the news in a social-media post Tuesday. The agency’s full post read:
The Grizzlies also released a statement Tuesday confirming Clarke’s death.
Priority Sports and the Grizzlies did not announce Clarke’s cause of death. Clarke, along with Ja Morant, was the longest tenured player on the Grizzlies.
Clarke — who was selected by the Grizzlies with the No. 21 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft — spent his entire NBA career with the franchise. He showed promise in his first season, averaging 12.1 points, 5.9 rebounds and finishing fourth in the Rookie of the Year voting.
While Clarke never developed into a full-time starter, he continued to show strong development off the bench, even earning a down-ballot vote for Sixth Man of the Year during the 2021-22 NBA season.
The team felt good enough about Clarke’s development that it signed him to a four-year, $52 million extension in 2022. But injuries quickly prevented Clarke from taking the court. His 2022-23 season ended prematurely after Clarke tore his left Achilles. He was limited to just six games the following season due to the injury.
After seeing limited playing time and a career-low 8.3 points per game during the 2024-25 NBA season, Clarke sustained a PCL injury that caused him to miss the final 12 games of the regular season.
He then sustained a knee injury over the offseason, causing Clarke to undergo surgery and miss time early in the 2025-26 NBA season. He was able to return to the team for just two games before sustaining a calf injury that would keep him out for the rest of the season.
While away from the team, Clarke made headlines in April after he was arrested in Arkansas due to allegations of of speeding, reckless driving and possessing a controlled substance. Clarke reportedly had more than 200 grams of kratom in his car at the time, per police reports.
Kratom leaves can be used as stimulants or sedatives. The leaves can also “lead to psychotic symptoms, and psychological and physiological dependence,” per the DEA’s website.
While it’s legality differs from state-to-state, kratom is illegal in Arkansas, where Clarke was arrested. He was released from jail following his arrest and was expected to re-join the Grizzlies next season.
This story will be updated.
Continue reading...
Clarke’s agency, Priority Sports, confirmed the news in a social-media post Tuesday. The agency’s full post read:
The Grizzlies also released a statement Tuesday confirming Clarke’s death.
Priority Sports and the Grizzlies did not announce Clarke’s cause of death. Clarke, along with Ja Morant, was the longest tenured player on the Grizzlies.
Brandon Clarke spent all seven NBA seasons with Grizzlies
Clarke — who was selected by the Grizzlies with the No. 21 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft — spent his entire NBA career with the franchise. He showed promise in his first season, averaging 12.1 points, 5.9 rebounds and finishing fourth in the Rookie of the Year voting.
While Clarke never developed into a full-time starter, he continued to show strong development off the bench, even earning a down-ballot vote for Sixth Man of the Year during the 2021-22 NBA season.
The team felt good enough about Clarke’s development that it signed him to a four-year, $52 million extension in 2022. But injuries quickly prevented Clarke from taking the court. His 2022-23 season ended prematurely after Clarke tore his left Achilles. He was limited to just six games the following season due to the injury.
After seeing limited playing time and a career-low 8.3 points per game during the 2024-25 NBA season, Clarke sustained a PCL injury that caused him to miss the final 12 games of the regular season.
He then sustained a knee injury over the offseason, causing Clarke to undergo surgery and miss time early in the 2025-26 NBA season. He was able to return to the team for just two games before sustaining a calf injury that would keep him out for the rest of the season.
While away from the team, Clarke made headlines in April after he was arrested in Arkansas due to allegations of of speeding, reckless driving and possessing a controlled substance. Clarke reportedly had more than 200 grams of kratom in his car at the time, per police reports.
Kratom leaves can be used as stimulants or sedatives. The leaves can also “lead to psychotic symptoms, and psychological and physiological dependence,” per the DEA’s website.
While it’s legality differs from state-to-state, kratom is illegal in Arkansas, where Clarke was arrested. He was released from jail following his arrest and was expected to re-join the Grizzlies next season.
This story will be updated.
Continue reading...
