Memphis Grizzlies' Brandon Clarke dies at 29

by · UPI

May 12 (UPI) -- Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke has died, the NBA franchise announced Tuesday.

The Grizzlies did not disclose Clarke's cause of death. He was 29.

"We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of Brandon Clarke," the Grizzlies said. "Brandon was an outstanding teammate and an even better person whose impact on the organization and the greater Memphis community will not be forgotten.

"We express our deepest condolences to his family and love ones during this difficult time."

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Clarke entered the league as the No. 21 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. He appeared in 309 games for the Grizzlies, including two this season. He averaged 10.2 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists over his seven-year NBA career.

Clarke missed the majority of his 2025-26 campaign due to knee and calf injuries.

The 6-foot-8, 215-pound forward starred at San Jose State and Gonzaga during his collegiate career. He earned first-team All-American honors in 2018-19, when he averaged 16.9 points, 8.6 rebounds, 3.2 blocks and 1.9 assists per game at Gonzaga, who advanced to the Elite Eight that season.

The Grizzlies signed Clarke to a four-year, $50 million contract extension in 2022.

"We are all beyond devastated by the passing of Brandon Clarke," Clarke's agency, Priority Sports, wrote on social media. "He was so loved by all of us here, and everyone whose life he touched. He was the gentlest soul who was the first to be there for all of his friends and family.

"Our hearts are so broken as we think about his mom, Whitney, his entire family, and all of his friends and teammates. From high school to San Jose State to Gonzaga to the Grizzlies, Brandon impacted everyone who was part of his life.

"Everyone loved BC because he was always there as the most supportive friend you could ever imagine. He was so unique in the joy he brought to all of those in his life. It's just impossible to put into words how much he'll be missed."

Notable deaths of 2026

Brandon Clarke
Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke (R) and Golden State Warriors guard Jordan Poole reach out for a rebound in San Francisco on May 7, 2022. Clarke died at the age of 29 on May 11. Photo by John G. Mabanglo/EPA