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Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke has died at the age of 29.
The United States (US) National Basketball Association (NBA) team confirmed this in a statement issued on Tuesday.
“We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of Brandon Clarke,” the Grizzlies said in a statement that did not elaborate on Clarke’s cause of death.
“Brandon was an outstanding teammate and an even better person whose impact on the organisation and the greater Memphis community will not be forgotten.”
His management company, Priority Sports, said in a statement that they were “beyond devastated” by Clarke’s death.
“He was the gentlest soul, who was the first to be there for all of his friends and family,” the agency said.
“We are devastated to learn of the passing of Brandon Clarke,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement.
“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 organisation,” he stated.
Clarke was the 21st overall selection in the 2019 NBA draft and earned all-rookie honours in his opening season. He inked a four-year, $50 million contract extension with the Grizzlies in 2022, but he’d battled injuries in recent seasons. He played just six games in the 2023-24 season, then 64 in 2024-25, but after playing just two this season because of calf and knee trouble.
He died six weeks after he was arrested in Arkansas for having illegal drugs, speeding, and trying to escape from police in a car.
