Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke has died at the age of 29, stunning the NBA world just months after injuries derailed what many hoped would be a comeback season.
The Memphis Grizzlies confirmed Clarke’s death on Tuesday. No cause of death has been publicly released.
“We are devastated by the loss of Brandon,” the organization said in a statement. “He embodied the spirit of this team and this city with his toughness, humility and kindness.”
Clarke spent his entire NBA career in Memphis after being selected with the 21st overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft by the Oklahoma City Thunder before being traded to the Grizzlies on draft night.
The high-flying forward quickly became a fan favorite thanks to his relentless energy, highlight-reel dunks, and gritty defensive play. He earned NBA All-Rookie First Team honors during the 2019-20 season and helped solidify Memphis as one of the league’s rising young teams.
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Born in Vancouver on Sept. 19, 1996, Clarke grew up in Arizona and played college basketball at San Jose State before transferring to Gonzaga, where he emerged as one of the nation’s top prospects during the Bulldogs’ 2018-19 campaign.
Brandon Clarke in 2020
Clarke battled injuries throughout the latter portion of his NBA career. He suffered a torn Achilles tendon in 2023 and later dealt with knee and calf issues that limited him to just two games during the 2025-26 season.
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In 309 career NBA games, Clarke averaged 10.2 points and 5.5 rebounds while shooting nearly 62% from the field.
His death comes just weeks after he was arrested in Arkansas on charges that included trafficking a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, improper passing, and fleeing/exceeding the speed limit following a traffic stop. The case remained unresolved at the time of his death.
Despite those recent legal troubles, tributes poured in across the basketball world Tuesday as former teammates, coaches, and fans remembered Clarke for his upbeat personality and work in the Memphis community.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver called Clarke “a beloved member of the NBA family,” while teammates remembered him as one of the most respected figures inside the Grizzlies locker room.
Earlier this year, Clarke celebrated his 29th birthday by donating books and money to a Memphis elementary school, a gesture many fans pointed to Tuesday while mourning the sudden loss of the NBA star dead at 29.
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