The Memphis Grizzlies will honor Brandon Clarke with a pregame tribute, moment of silence, and a "BC" jersey patch throughout 2026-27.
Saturday would have been Brandon Clarke's 30th birthday, and the Memphis Grizzlies marked it by announcing on X that they will hold a pregame tribute and moment of silence for him before the Oct. 21 season opener against the Utah Jazz. Grizzlies players will also wear a "BC" patch on their jerseys throughout the 2026-27 season.
"Today, on his birthday, we remember BC," the Grizzlies said. "He will continue to remain at the heart of Grizz Nation. We will honor his memory together with a pre-game tribute and moment of silence on Opening Night and a BC jersey patch throughout the season."
Utah visits FedExForum at 7 p.m. CT on Wednesday, Oct. 21. Jaren Jackson Jr. will return to the visiting bench for the first time since the February trade that sent him to the Jazz, and Darryn Peterson, the second overall pick in June's draft, will make his NBA debut that night.
Seven Seasons in Memphis
Clarke died May 11 at 29. All seven of his NBA seasons were spent in Memphis.
He arrived in Memphis via trade. Oklahoma City drafted him 21st in 2019, then traded his rights to the Grizzlies on July 6 for Darius Bazley's rights and a 2024 second-round pick. He signed his rookie contract the next day.
Clarke entered that draft after just one season at Gonzaga, a season strong enough to have many predicting he would be a lottery pick. He averaged 16.9 points and 8.6 rebounds for the Bulldogs, shot 68.7% from the field, and ranked third in the NCAA in blocks per game at 3.16. The West Coast Conference named him Defensive Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year, and he was a third-team All-American.
He spent two seasons at San Jose State before that, and before that, attended Desert Vista High School in Phoenix, where his family moved from Vancouver when he was 3.
In Memphis, he wore No. 15. He was named to the All-Rookie First Team in 2020 and finished fourth in Rookie of the Year voting. He then became a role player, contributing inside scoring and rebounding.
Clarke averaged 10.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.3 assists over 309 regular-season games, with 50 starts. In 14 playoff games, he averaged 10.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in 21.8 minutes per game, shooting 61.3% from the field and recording three double-doubles.
In 2023, a torn Achilles sidelined him for more than a year, and knee and calf injuries restricted him to only two games in 2025-26.
Grizzlies Roster Looks Different Ahead of Opening Night
Memphis finished 25-57 last season, the first full year with Grizzlies coach Tuomas Iisalo, and the roster has changed significantly since then.
Desmond Bane was traded to Orlando in June 2025. Jaren Jackson Jr. went to Utah on Feb. 3 in an eight-player deal.
Ja Morant was sent to Portland in June for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray, and the third pick in the 2026 draft went to Cameron Boozer.
