Brandon Clarke dies at 29: Basketball world mourns sudden passing of Grizzlies forward originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The Grizzlies announced the death of forward Brandon Clarke on Tuesday afternoon. He was 29 years old.
Clarke, a former first-round pick out of Gonzaga who spent seven years in Memphis, played two games during the 2025-26 season before being ruled out for the year with a right calf strain. He earned All-Rookie First Team honors during the 2019-20 season after averaging 12.1 points and 5.9 rebounds on 61.8 percent shooting.
Here’s what we know so far about Clarke’s untimely passing.
Brandon Clarke dies at 29
Clarke’s agency, Priority Sports, announced news of his death on Tuesday afternoon. Memphis confirmed his passing in a statement released on X shortly after 2 p.m. ET.
“We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of Brandon Clarke,” the Grizzlies’ statement read. “Brandon was an outstanding teammate and an even better person whose impact on the organization and the greater Memphis community will not be forgotten.”
— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) May 12, 2026
Clarke was limited by knee and calf injuries during the 2025-26 season, playing in just two contests. On April 1, he was arrested in Cross County, Arkansas, and charged with trafficking a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, fleeing in a vehicle exceeding the speed limit and improper passing. He was released on bond one day later.
Founder of the Brandon Clarke Foundation, a non-profit that seeks to help families dealign with tragedies in the Memphis area, Clarke was a pillar of his community.
“Every time I get to talk to kids, I try to get that in their minds that school is important, teachers are important and grades matter,” Clarke told the Memphis Commercial Appeal’s Damichael Cole. “I couldn’t have made it here without locking in on reading, writing and all of that stuff.”
Brandon Clarke cause of death
Clarke’s cause of death hasn’t yet been revealed. He died in the San Fernando Valley in California on Monday, authorities told NBC 4 Los Angeles.
The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a 911 call of a medical emergency inside the home Clarke was staying at. Paramedics declared Clarke dead at the scene.
NBC 4 Los Angeles reported that drug paraphernalia was found inside the home. Authorities are investigating Clarke’s death as a possible overdose.
Brandon Clarke tributes
Here’s a look at some of the most noteworthy tributes to Clarke following his passing:
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver issued the following statement today regarding the passing of Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke. pic.twitter.com/QujShDyGir
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) May 12, 2026
Damn man. RIP B CLARKE
— Bradley Beal (@RealDealBeal23) May 12, 2026
Damn! This Hurts my Heart! Rest In Paradise Brandon Clarke 🙏🏾 https://t.co/lmeje3fwx7
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) May 12, 2026
Man 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 up to Brandon Clarke family. NBA is a brother hood 🙏🏾🙏🏾 damn
— Patrick Beverley (@patbev21) May 12, 2026
This is heartbreaking news. I had the pleasure of getting to know Brandon as classmates at Gonzaga and always had the loveliest interactions with him. My thoughts are with his friends and family. https://t.co/m8enZBZLHR
— Kendra Andrews (@kendra__andrews) May 12, 2026
I’m absolutely saddened to hear this news. Brandon was a gentle giant and an amazing man that I met when he was at SJSU. He credited me for being the first to tell him he could make the NBA. Brandon earned his way to the NBA. My condolences and prayers to his mother and family.🕊️ https://t.co/6HtO68IMe6
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) May 12, 2026
Prayers & condolences going out to Brandon Clarke’s family & loved ones.🙏🏽🙏🏾 https://t.co/2xqoO8disL
— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) May 12, 2026
Sending our condolences to Brandon Clarke’s family, friends, and the entire @memgrizz organization. https://t.co/nPqySmMmUA
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) May 12, 2026
man this is tough- RIP https://t.co/KeoLL8Srhn
— Chandler Parsons (@ChandlerParsons) May 12, 2026
Brandon Clarke has passed away at the age of 29.
2019 First-Team All-WCC
2019 WCC Defensive Player of the Year
2019 WCC Newcomer of the Year
2017 First-Team All-Mountain WestRIP 🙏 pic.twitter.com/QU8GQu2H8l
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) May 12, 2026
Heartfelt condolences to Brandon Clarke’s family, friends, and the @memgrizz organization. 💜 https://t.co/TUt3Qf0ZDx
— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) May 12, 2026
The Portland Trail Blazers organization sends its deepest condolences to the family, friends, teammates, and the entire Memphis Grizzlies community following the passing of Brandon Clarke. https://t.co/dbFcLOS0Dm
— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) May 12, 2026
kyle anderson on brandon clarke 😥 pic.twitter.com/JUGwDDWPFB
— rocco zikarsky’s modern life (@companeromarcus) May 12, 2026
Crazy!!!!! RIP https://t.co/jdJvgTbrdK
— Rudy Gay (@RudyGay) May 12, 2026
Jaylen Wells on Instagram: pic.twitter.com/MtLJM4ZkLs
— Grizzlies SZN (@Grizzlies_szn) May 12, 2026
Our condolences to the Clarke family. We are saddened by the news and his impact at SJSU will never be forgotten. https://t.co/2UMbJUozMz
— San Jose State Men’s Basketball (@SanJoseStateMBB) May 12, 2026
Gone to soon Rest up B.Clarke 🙏🏿🙏🏿
— Zach Randolph (@MacBo50) May 12, 2026
“He was an extended brother.”
Danny Green and the NBA Today crew took a moment to share a message on Brandon Clarke. pic.twitter.com/odDddyC1WW
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) May 12, 2026
Statement from NBPA Executive Director Andre Iguodala and NBPA President Fred VanVleet on the tragic passing of Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke. pic.twitter.com/RZ3vRoLNdK
— NBPA (@TheNBPA) May 12, 2026
Ja Morant on Brandon Clarke:
“this hurt BC 💔 love you broski. gone way too soon … it’s bigger than basketball”
— Grizzlies SZN (@Grizzlies_szn) May 12, 2026
Donovan Mitchell reacts to the tragic passing of Brandon Clarke on Instagram 💔 pic.twitter.com/gex8HPpqjl
— Cavaliers Nation (@WeAreCavsNation) May 12, 2026
Jaren Jackson Jr. shares a post on Brandon Clarke. He was one of Clarke’s closest friends. pic.twitter.com/R7NjylWuyE
— Damichael Cole (@DamichaelC) May 13, 2026
