Brandon Clarke: Memphis Grizzlies forward dies aged 29, NBA team confirms

Brandon Clarke, a 29-year-old Canadian forward born in Vancouver, has passed away. He was selected 21st overall in the 2019 NBA Draft by the Oklahoma City Thunder before being traded to Memphis on draft night.

Brandon Clarke, a first-round NBA lottery pick in 2019, had only played two games this season due to injuries. Brandon was an amazing teammate and an even better person, whose contributions to the organisation and the larger Memphis community will be remembered,” the Grizzlies said in a statement.

“We express our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones during this difficult time.”

Clarke’s agents, Priority Sports, expressed their “beyond devastated” response to his passing on social media. They described Clarke as a gentle spirit who always looked out for his friends and family.

Clarke was arrested in Arkansas on April 1 for speeding and possessing a controlled substance, which was purportedly kratom, a botanical supplement marketed as an alternative pain reliever that is lawful in Tennessee. He was released on bond the next day.

He was the 21st overall pick out of Gonzaga in the 2019 NBA draft by Oklahoma, which traded his rights to the Grizzlies, who had already selected guard Ja Morant at No. 2 overall.

Clarke joined Morant on the NBA All-Rookie Team in 2020, and the Grizzlies extended his contract in October 2022.

He tore his left Achilles tendon on March 3, 2023, during a Western Conference battle against the Denver Nuggets. Injuries have limited him to 72 of a potential 246 games over the last three seasons, including only two this season.

Clarke averaged 10.2 points and 5.5 rebounds over his seven seasons with the Grizzlies.