Brandon Clarke, who played all seven of his NBA seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies, died at the age of 29, his agency announced Tuesday.
Brandon Clarke, a forward for the Memphis Grizzlies, died at the age of 29, his agency Priority Sports announced Tuesday.
The cause of death has not been disclosed.
Clarke was the 21st overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft and spent all seven of his NBA seasons with the Grizzlies. He was the longest-tenured player on the team alongside Ja Morant.
The Grizzlies said in a statement they were "heartbroken by the tragic loss" of Clarke. The team described him as an outstanding teammate and person whose impact on the organization and the greater Memphis community would not be forgotten.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver also issued a statement.
Silver said the league was "devastated to learn of the passing" of Clarke. He described him as one of the longest-tenured members of the Grizzlies, a beloved teammate and leader who played with passion and grit.
Clarke played in only two games during the 2025-26 season. He missed the start of the season while recovering from a knee injury, and a calf injury suffered in December ended his season.
Clarke launched the Brandon Clarke Foundation in 2025 to help families affected by tragedy, mothers, and other community members in Memphis. The foundation has donated to ARise2Read, a nonprofit focused on improving children's literacy outside the classroom. Clarke also hosted a holiday celebration at the Buckman Boys & Girls Club, where foundation families received food, gifts, and games, and he made a personal donation.
Clarke spoke about his interactions with children during a 2025 foundation event.
"I try to get that in their minds that school is important," Clarke said, via Commercial Appeal.
Clarke was arrested in Cross County, Arkansas, on April 1, 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 a day later.
The Canadian forward spent his college career at San Jose State and Gonzaga before entering the NBA in 2019.
Grizzlies Roundtable also offers a fan community and message board. We’d love to have you join us to talk all things Grizzlies. Click the “Join” button at the top of the page to join our community for free.