Brandon Clarke dies at 29: Basketball world mourns sudden passing of Grizzlies forward

Brandon Clarke dies at 29: Basketball world mourns sudden passing of Grizzlies forward originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Grizzlies announced the death of forward Brandon Clarke on Tuesday afternoon. He was 29 years old.

Clarke, a former first-round pick out of Gonzaga who spent seven years in Memphis, played two games during the 2025-26 season before being ruled out for the year with a right calf strain. He earned All-Rookie First Team honors during the 2019-20 season after averaging 12.1 points and 5.9 rebounds on 61.8 percent shooting.

Here's what we know so far about Clarke's untimely passing.

Brandon Clarke dies at 29

Clarke's agency, Priority Sports, announced news of his death on Tuesday afternoon. Memphis confirmed his passing in a statement released on X shortly after 2 p.m. ET.

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

Clarke was limited by knee and calf injuries during the 2025-26 season, playing in just two contests. On April 1, he was arrested in Cross County, Arkansas, 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 one day later.