Brandon Clarke, a forward for the Memphis Grizzlies, has died at 29. The news in Memphis has shocked teammates, fans and the broader NBA community; Clarke’s journey from Vancouver, British Columbia, through San Jose State and Gonzaga to the NBA is part of that story. The Grizzlies confirmed his passing and the team’s post is embedded below, along with a photo from FedExForum that ran with reports out of Memphis.
Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke died on Tuesday afternoon. He was 29 years old and his sudden passing has left a hole in the Grizzlies’ locker room and the wider basketball world.
Clarke spent his entire seven-season NBA career with the Memphis Grizzlies after being selected with the No. 21 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. He arrived in Memphis as a high-energy forward known for rim-running, shot-blocking and efficient finishing, traits that made him a fan favorite almost immediately. Those skills, paired with hustle and athleticism, helped define his role through multiple playoff runs.
His route to the NBA is familiar to anyone who follows college hoops: two seasons at San Jose State and a transfer to Gonzaga, where a year off from competition preceded a breakout stretch. At Gonzaga he translated raw tools into polished play, showing the kind of upside that convinced scouts to take him late in the first round. That climb—from Vancouver to NCAA Division I to the NBA—was often described as an inspiring, hard-earned progression.
Injuries had a recurring and cruel presence in Clarke’s professional life. He missed most of the 2022-23 season after tearing his left Achilles tendon in March 2023, then dealt with a PCL sprain in his right knee in 2025 and a calf strain that limited his availability this year. He also battled knee synovitis just before this season, which further hampered his ability to stay on the court. This past season he appeared in only two games as the Grizzlies tried to manage his recovery and workload.
Off the court, Clarke faced legal trouble last month when he was arrested on drug and speeding charges. Authorities charged him with possession of a controlled substance, fleeing and exceeding the speed limit, and trafficking a controlled substance. Those developments added another layer of turmoil to a difficult stretch that began with injuries and long rehab timelines.
— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) May 12, 2026
The Grizzlies officially confirmed Clarke’s passing in a team statement posted to social channels and shared with the club’s followers. Fans and former teammates quickly filled social feeds with condolences and memories of his athletic highlights and locker-room energy. The team’s post is embedded below for reference.
Clarke was born in 1996 in Vancouver, Canada, and carried that background with him throughout his career as part of his identity on and off the court. This loss is being felt in Memphis and among players and staff across the league who competed with and against him. At this time, the cause of death has not been released, and there are no further official details; the situation will be updated as new information becomes available.
