Former NBA player Brandon Clarke died of a lethal combination of drugs, according to officials.
The County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner announced on Friday the 29-year-old passed away from “the effects of heroin and cocaine.”
It added that the manner of his passing was an accident.
Former NBA player Brandon Clarke died of a lethal combination of drugs. Getty Images
Clarke died inside of a San Fernando Valley home on May 11, and according to the LA County DME, medical personnel first located him “unresponsive in his bedroom” at around 5 p.m.
He was ultimately pronounced deceased at 5:15 p.m.
Drug paraphernalia was discovered near his body and the initial investigation surrounding his passing centered on the possibility of an overdose, according to multiple reports.
TMZ was first to report the cause of death.
Clarke, who was drafted into the NBA in 2019, played all seven seasons of his pro career with the Memphis Grizzlies, averaging 10.2 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.
Clarke, who was drafted into the NBA in 2019, played all seven seasons of his pro career with the Memphis Grizzlies, averaging 10.2 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
“We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of Brandon Clarke,” the Grizzlies wrote in a statement the day after his death. “Brandon was an outstanding teammate and an even better person whose impact on the organization and the greater Memphis community will not be forgotten.
“We express our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones during this difficult time.”
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Less than six weeks before his death, Clarke was arrested in Arkansas for allegedly possessing half a pound of drugs.
Cross County Sheriff’s Office deputies wrote in a probable cause affidavit that after Clarke was stopped for a traffic violation, 235.6 grams of kratom was located in his vehicle.
Brandon Clarke of the Memphis Grizzlies looks on during a game against the Miami Heat on March 15, 2025, at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. (NBAE) NBAE via Getty Images
Clarke allegedly told authorities during the stop that he believed the “stuff is legal.”
Kratom, according to the Mayo Clinic, is a substance that can act as both a stimulant and a sedative.
Clarke’s fiancée, Amber Lorraine, remembered Clarke as “the most special person, with the biggest heart” in an emotional social media post that she penned in the days after his death.
“All I want is to hug you and kiss you,” she added. “This world isn’t the same without you.”
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