Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke. Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Grizzlies' Brandon Clarke arrested on reckless driving, drug charges

By Yagya Bhargava | Last updated Apr 1, 2026 7:31 PM ET

Brandon Clarke's season was already over before this week. Now, the Memphis Grizzlies forward is facing charges that go way beyond the court.

Clarke was arrested on Wednesday afternoon in Cross County, Arkansas. The Cross County Sheriff's Office confirmed that deputies took the 29-year-old into custody around 12:30 p.m.

He's been charged with possession and trafficking of a controlled substance, along with violations for improper passing and fleeing a vehicle while speeding.

The Grizzlies have not released a statement on the matter as of yet.

Per the Cross County Sheriff’s Office, Clarke was arrested for reckless driving and possession of an unidentified controlled substance in his car. https://t.co/brU0rccwpN
— Matt Infield (@Matt_Infield) April 1, 2026

Arrest adds to frustrating year for Brandon Clarke, Grizzlies

Clarke had been sidelined for the entire 2025-26 campaign after suffering a calf strain in December. He appeared in just two games before the injury ended his season. The calf problem added to ongoing issues from a previous knee injury that had already limited his availability.

Memphis selected Clarke with the 21st overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. He's remained with the franchise ever since, making him one of the team's longest-tenured players alongside Ja Morant.

Over seven seasons, Clarke has averaged 10.2 points and 5.5 rebounds per game across 309 appearances. Staying healthy has been a growing concern, though. He's played in only 72 games over the past three seasons combined.

The legal situation adds another complication to what was already a frustrating year for Clarke and the organization.

Yagya Bhargava

Yagya Bhargava began his professional journey as a chef, but his passion for sports eventually led him into sports journalism. He started writing in 2022 and has since published more than 5,000 articles covering the NFL and NBA. Along the way, he’s worked with outlets like The Cold Wire, Sportskeeda, The SportsRush, and The Big Lead

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