Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke has died at the age of 29.
The news broke on Tuesday, May 12, when the Grizzlies and Clarke’s agency each made separate statements about his passing. He was remembered as a light in the community and for his passion on the court.
NBC4 Los Angeles reports that Clarke’s death is being investigated as a possible overdose. Per NBC4, the Los Angeles Fire Department received a 911 call on the evening of Monday, May 11 to assist with a medial emergency in the San Fernando Valley. When authorities arrived on the scene, they found Clarke deceased. The outlet said that responders found evidence of drug usage on the scene and are investigating accordingly.
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Memphis Grizzlies player Brandon Clarke dies at 29. His career in photos
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Memphis Grizzlies player Brandon Clarke dies at 29. His career in photos
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Memphis Grizzlies player Brandon Clarke dies at 29. His career in photos
Brandon Clarke #15 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs puts up a shot against the Texas A&M Aggies in the second half at McCarthey Athletic Center on November 15, 2018 in Spokane, Washington. Gonzaga defeated Texas A&M 94-71.
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Memphis Grizzlies player Brandon Clarke dies at 29. His career in photos
Brandon Clarke #15 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs goes to the basket against Darrin Person #25 and Greg Lee #21 of the CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners in the second half at McCarthey Athletic Center on December 31, 2018 in Spokane, Washington. Gonzaga defeated CSU Bakersfield 89-54.
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Memphis Grizzlies player Brandon Clarke dies at 29. His career in photos
Brandon Clarke #15 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs goes up for a shot against Kaleb Bishop #12 of the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights during the first half in the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Vivint Smart Home Arena on March 21, 2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
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Memphis Grizzlies player Brandon Clarke dies at 29. His career in photos
Brandon Clarke #15 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs dunks the ball against the Baylor Bears during their game in the Second Round of the NCAA Basketball Tournament at Vivint Smart Home Arena on March 23, 2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
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Memphis Grizzlies player Brandon Clarke dies at 29. His career in photos
Brandon Clarke speaks to the media ahead of the 2019 NBA Draft at the Grand Hyatt New York on June 19, 2019 in New York City.
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Memphis Grizzlies player Brandon Clarke dies at 29. His career in photos
Brandon Clarke reacts after being drafted with the 21st overall pick by the Oklahoma City Thunder during the 2019 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 20, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City.
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Memphis Grizzlies player Brandon Clarke dies at 29. His career in photos
Brandon Clarke #15 of the Memphis Grizzlies brings the ball up the court against the New Orleans Pelicans during a semifinal game of the 2019 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 14, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Grizzlies defeated the Pelicans 88-86 in overtime.
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Memphis Grizzlies player Brandon Clarke dies at 29. His career in photos
Summer League co-founder Albert Hall (L) presents Brandon Clarke #15 of the Memphis Grizzlies with the 2019 NBA Las Vegas Summer League MVP trophy before the championship game of the 2019 NBA Summer League between the Grizzlies and the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 15, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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Memphis Grizzlies player Brandon Clarke dies at 29. His career in photos
Brandon Clarke #15 of the Memphis Grizzlies shoots against Canyon Barry #24 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the championship game of the 2019 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 15, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Grizzlies defeated the Timberwolves 95-92.
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Memphis Grizzlies player Brandon Clarke dies at 29. His career in photos
Brandon Clarke of the Memphis Grizzlies poses for a portrait during the 2019 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot on August 11, 2019 at the Ferguson Recreation Center in Madison, New Jersey.
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Memphis Grizzlies player Brandon Clarke dies at 29. His career in photos
Dwight Howard #39 of the Los Angeles Lakers has the ball knocked out of his hands by Brandon Clarke #15 of the Memphis Grizzlies during the first half of the basketball game at Staples Center on October 29, 2019 in Los Angeles, California.
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Memphis Grizzlies player Brandon Clarke dies at 29. His career in photos
Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors dribbles the ball against Brandon Clarke #15 of the Memphis Grizzlies during the first quarter in Game Six of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Semifinals at Chase Center on May 13, 2022 in San Francisco, California.
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Memphis Grizzlies player Brandon Clarke dies at 29. His career in photos
Brandon Clarke #15 of the Memphis Grizzlies drives to the basket against Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the fourth quarter at Crypto.com Arena on January 9, 2022 in Los Angeles.
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Memphis Grizzlies player Brandon Clarke dies at 29. His career in photos
Brandon Clarke #15 of the Memphis Grizzlies poses for a photo during Memphis Grizzlies Media Day at FedExForum on October 2, 2023 in Memphis, Tennessee.
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Memphis Grizzlies player Brandon Clarke dies at 29. His career in photos
Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball against Brandon Clarke #15 of the Memphis Grizzlies during the first half at FedExForum on November 6, 2024 in Memphis, Tennessee.
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Memphis Grizzlies player Brandon Clarke dies at 29. His career in photos
Brandon Clarke #15 of the Memphis Grizzlies reacts during the first half against the Golden State Warriors at FedExForum on December 19, 2024 in Memphis, Tennessee.
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Memphis Grizzlies player Brandon Clarke dies at 29. His career in photos
Brandon Clarke #15 of the Memphis Grizzlies poses for a photo during media day at FedExForum on September 30, 2024 in Memphis, Tennessee.
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Memphis Grizzlies player Brandon Clarke dies at 29. His career in photos
Memphis Grizzlies guard Brandon Clarke (15) drives to the basket while defended by San Antonio Spurs center Charles Bassey (28) during the first half at Frost Bank Center on Jan. 15, 2025 in San Antonio, Texas.
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Memphis Grizzlies player Brandon Clarke dies at 29. His career in photos
Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke (15) walks to the locker room before a game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on March 19, 2025 in Portland, Oregon.
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Memphis Grizzlies player Brandon Clarke dies at 29. His career in photos
Grizzlies’ Brandon Clarke (15) walks onto the court for open practice at the FedExForum on October 4, 2025, in Memphis, Tenn.
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Memphis Grizzlies player Brandon Clarke dies at 29. His career in photos
Grizzlies’ Brandon Clarke (15) and Grizz talk on the bench during open practice at the FedExForum on October 4, 2025, in Memphis, Tenn.
Clarke was arrested in April and handed multiple charges, including trafficking a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance.
Brandon Clarke’s NBA career
Clarke spent all seven seasons of his NBA career with the Memphis Grizzlies, where he averaged 10.2 points per game. This season, he suffered a calf injury in December that sidelined him for the rest of the Grizzlies’ campaign.
The Vancouver, Canada, native was drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder as the No. 21 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft and was traded to Memphis that day. He was part of the All-Rookie team and finished fourth in Rookie of the Year voting after averaging 12.1 points per outing that season.
Brandon Clarke’s college basketball career
Clarke played one season at Gonzaga, where he and Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura made it to the Elite Eight in 2019. In their second-round win over Baylor, Clarke had a school record 36 points, the most by a Bulldog in an NCAA Tournament contest.
He transferred to Gonzaga after playing two seasons at San Jose State.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What happened to Brandon Clarke? Cause of death being investigated
