Memphis Grizzlies player Brandon Clarke has died, the team confirmed on Tuesday. He was 29.
“We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of Brandon Clarke,” the team said in a statement on social media. “Brandon was an outstanding teammate and an even better person whose impact on the organization and the great Memphis community will not be forgotten.”
In this Feb. 11, 2025, file photo, Brandon Clarke of the Memphis Grizzlies is shown during the second half of the NBA game at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona.
Christian Petersen/Getty Images, FILE
Clarke was found dead on Monday from a possible drug overdose in a home in the San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles Police Department sources told ABC News. Narcotics were found at the scene and there is no evidence of foul play, sources told ABC News.
The athlete had been recently arrested in Arkansas for felony drug trafficking, possession of drugs and a pursuit, sources said.
In this March 3, 2025, file photo, Brandon Clarke of the Memphis Grizzlies goes to the basket during the second half against the Atlanta Hawks at FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.
Justin Ford/Getty Images, FILE
The Canadian-American forward began playing in the NBA in 2019. He was selected in the first round of the 2019 NBA draft by the Oklahoma City Thunder and immediately traded to Memphis, where he had played ever since. He was named to the NBA’s All-Rookie First Team in his rookie season.
“As one of the longest-tenured members of the Grizzlies, Brandon was a beloved teammate and leader who played the game with enormous passion and grit,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. “Our thoughts and sympathies are with Brandon’s family, friends and the Grizzlies organization.”
Priority Sports, the agency that represented Clarke, said they are “beyond devastated” by his death.
“He was so loved by all of us here and everyone whose life he touched. He was the greatest soul who was the first to be there for all of his friends and family,” the agency said in a statement. “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.”
In college, Clarke played two seasons for the San Jose State Spartans before transferring to Gonzaga. During his junior season, he was named the West Coast Conference’s Newcomer of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year, becoming the first to win both honors in the same year in the conference’s history.
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