Memphis Grizzlies confirm death of forward Brandon Clarke at age 29
Brandon Clarke, a dual citizen born in Vancouver who played 309 career games, was arrested in Arkansas last month on charges including possession of a controlled substance.
The Memphis Grizzlies have confirmed the death of forward Brandon Clarke, a 29-year-old player who had been a first-round draft pick in 2019. The organisation has not released a cause of death, maintaining that the specific circumstances remain undisclosed by any authority.
In a statement issued by the team, the Grizzlies expressed that they were heartbroken by the loss, describing Clarke as an outstanding team-mate and a better person whose impact on the organisation and the greater Memphis community would not be forgotten. This sentiment was echoed by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, who characterised Clarke as a beloved team-mate and leader who played the game with enormous passion and grit.
Clarke's agency, Priority Sports, released a separate statement describing the late player as the gentlest soul who was the first to be there for friends and family. The statement noted that he was so loved by all of those whose lives he touched, reinforcing the personal regard he held within the basketball community.
Born in Vancouver, Clarke held dual citizenship of Canada and the USA, having moved with his family to Phoenix when he was three years old. His professional journey included playing college basketball at San Jose State and Gonzaga before being drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder and subsequently traded to the Grizzlies.
During the current season, Clarke appeared in only two games due to injuries, both occurring in December. Despite the limited playing time, his career statistics across 309 NBA appearances included 50 starts and an average of 10.2 points per game. He recently travelled to the UK in January for the Grizzlies' match against the Orlando Magic in London.
Legal records indicate that Clarke was arrested in Arkansas last month on charges that included speeding and possession of a controlled substance. However, reports do not specify the outcome of these charges or provide details on whether they were dropped, pending trial, or resulted in a conviction.
