Grizzlies’ Brandon Clarke Dies At Age 29

Clarke, who has spent the past seven seasons in Memphis after being selected with the 21st pick in the 2019 draft, was 29 years old.

“We are all beyond devastated by the passing of Brandon Clarke,” his agency’s statement reads. “He was so loved by all of us here, and everyone whose life he touched. He was the gentlest soul who was the first to be there for all of his friends and family. Our hearts are so broken as we think about his mom, Whitney, his entire family, and all of his friends and teammates. From high school to San Jose State to Gonzaga to the Grizzlies, Brandon impacted everyone who was part of his life.

“Everyone loved BC because he was always there as the most supportive friend you could ever imagine. He was so unique in the joy he brought to all of those in his life. It’s just impossible to put into words how much he’ll be missed. We love you, BC.”

A Canadian power forward who played his college ball at San Jose State and Gonzaga, Clarke was named the WCC Defensive Player of the Year in his final season with the Zags, then made the All-Rookie first team during his first professional season with the Grizzlies. He immediately emerged as a rotation player in Memphis, averaging 10.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 21.3 minutes per game across 237 contests (29 starts) in his first four years in the NBA.

However, Clarke’s fourth season came to an early end when he suffered a left Achilles tear in March 2023. That injury kept him sidelined for most of the ’23/24 season as well.

Clarke was back in the Grizzlies’ rotation in 2024/25, averaging 18.9 MPG and matching his career high with 64 appearances, but he once again saw his season come to an end in March when he suffered a PCL sprain in his right knee. The 6’8″ forward underwent an arthroscopic procedure last September to address synovitis in that same knee, and while he was able to briefly return to action in December, he played in just two games before sustaining a calf strain that sidelined him for the rest of ’25/26.

In total, Clarke appeared in 309 regular season games and another 12 playoff contests during his time in Memphis. He and Ja Morant were the Grizzlies’ longest-tenured players.

According to Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal, Clarke was also involved in the Memphis community off the court, having launched the Brandon Clarke Foundation in 2025. The non-profit was aimed at supporting local families, mothers, and children, with a focus on literacy and community resources.

Roughly a month-and-a-half ago, Clarke was arrested in Cross County, Arkansas, on charges of trafficking a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, fleeing in a vehicle exceeding the speed limit, and improper passing. He was released on bond the following day.

Subsequent reporting indicated that over 230 grams of kratom were allegedly found in his possession after he led local deputies on a “miles-long chase” while driving over 100 miles per hour. Kratom, described by the Mayo Clinic as a herbal extract that can act as a stimulant at lower doses and a sedative for pain relief at higher doses, is legal in Tennessee but is considered a Schedule 1 controlled substance in Arkansas.

The Grizzlies and the NBA (Twitter links) have put out statements confirming Clarke’s passing. The Grizzlies referred to Clarke as “an outstanding teammate and an even better person” who had a significant impact on the greater Memphis community, while commissioner Adam Silver called him a “beloved teammate and leader who played the game with enormous passion and grit.”

We at Hoops Rumors send our sincerest condolences to Clarke’s family and friends.