MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) – Memphis Grizzlies forward/center Brandon Clarke is dead at the age of 29, Action News 5 sources confirm.
Clarke’s cause of death is unknown at this time.
NBC Los Angeles reports that Clarke was found dead inside his home in California shortly after 5 p.m. on Monday.
Los Angeles Fire Department is investigating the death as a possible overdose.
The NBA released the following statement on Clarke’s death:
“We are devastated to learn of the passing of Brandon Clarke. 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. Our thoughts and sympathies are with Brandon’s family, friends and the Grizzlies organization.”
Clarke has played in 309 games for the Grizzlies since he was acquired on draft night in 2019.
Clarke averaged 10.2 points per game over 7 seasons with the Grizzlies, finishing 4th in the Rookie of the Year award race in 2020.
As a crucial piece of the Grizzlies playoff teams in the early 2020s, Clarke received votes for 6th Man of the Year in 2022, averaging more than 10 points and 5 rebounds off the bench.
Injuries limited Clarke to just two games in the 2025-26 season.
In March, the Grizzlies announced Clarke would miss the remainder of the 2025-2026 season after being diagnosed with a high-grade PCL sprain in his right knee, which he sustained during a fall to the floor in the first quarter of the Grizzlies’ game against the Portland Trail Blazers on March 19.
Clarke was arrested on April 1 on drug charges and leading deputies on a chase in Cross County, Arkansas.
Memphis Mayor Paul Young issued the following statement:
“Brandon Clarke represented everything this city loves: toughness, heart, humility, and resilience. He played the game with joy, and gave our community so much to be proud of both on and off the court.
For so many Memphians, the Grizzlies are family. And Brandon was a part of that family. His impact reached far beyond basketball. Kids looked up to him. Fans believed in him. And this city embraced him fully.
On behalf of the City of Memphis, I want to extend my deepest prayers and condolences to Brandon’s family, his teammates, the entire Grizzlies organization, and every fan hurting today.”
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