Memphis Grizzlies Forward Brandon Clarke Dies At 29 – Was Due In Court For Possession Of Drug Kratom

On Tuesday, Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke passed away at 29 years old.

Clarke was found dead in his San Fernando Valley, California home, on Monday night. LAPD officials discovered narcotics at the scene; however, neither the Grizzlies nor Clarke’s agency, Priority Sports, revealed details about the nature of his death.

Clarke was due to appear in court in Arkansas next week to face charges of felony trafficking a controlled substance. Police say they found illegal drugs, including painkiller Kratom, during a traffic stop last month in his car.

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“We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of Brandon Clarke. Brandon was an outstanding teammate and an even better person whose impact on the organization and the greater Memphis community will not be forgotten,” said the Grizzlies in a statement.

Clarke’s teammate, Jaren Jackson Jr., took to social media on Wednesday to mourn the tragic death of his teammate. “I couldn’t imagine a world where this was even a possibility. I love you forever, brother. This is absolutely devastating. I just wish I could talk to you,” wrote Jackson Jr. on social media Wednesday. “You were so much to so many and even more to me. I will never have the words to describe what this feels like. I still can’t believe this. To your family and friends and everyone, you were always a light, and you were always so genuine and real, and our friendship went far beyond anything on the court.”

Clarke began his collegiate career at San José State University, where he averaged 8.8 points and 5.6 rebounds per game in his first year. After the 2016-17 season, he would be redshirted for the 2017-18 season at Gonzaga before starting 36 games for the Bulldogs the following season. Clarke was a member of the 2018-2019 squad, where they finished 33-4 and made the Elite Eight.

The Gonzaga alum would have been selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder with the 21st overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft; Oklahoma City later dealt his draft rights to the Grizzlies.

“We are devastated to hear the news about Brandon,” Gonzaga coach Mark Few wrote in a statement. “He had such a kind, gentle and warm soul, and I will always remember the great smile he had on his face whenever you were around him. BC was one of the most easygoing players we have ever had, and he was part of one of the greatest teams in our program’s history.”

In the 2019-2020 season, Clarke finished fourth in Rookie of the Year voting, where he made a name for himself as a credible bench player. The forward averaged 12.1 points and 5.9 rebounds in 58 games that season. Clarke signed a four-year, $52 million extension with the team in October 2022; however, a season-ending Achilles tear in March 2023 would sideline the forward for the majority of the 2023-2024 season.