Brandon Clarke, a forward for the Memphis Grizzlies, has died at the age of 29, as confirmed by his sports agency. He was drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2019 and played one season at Gonzaga before joining the Grizzlies.
Key points
Brandon Clarke died at age 29.
He was drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2019.
Clarke played for the Memphis Grizzlies.
He suffered a calf injury that ended his season.
Mentioned in this story
Oklahoma City Thunder
Brandon ClarkeMemphis Grizzlies
Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke died, his sports agency announced in a statement released on Tuesday, May 12. He was 29-years-old.
This season, he suffered a calf injury in December that sidelined him for the rest of the campaign.
See his career on and off court in photos.
Brandon Clarke #15 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs puts up a shot against the Texas A&M Aggies in the second half at McCarthey Athletic Center on November 15, 2018 in Spokane, Washington. Gonzaga defeated Texas A&M 94-71.
Brandon Clarke #15 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs goes to the basket against Darrin Person #25 and Greg Lee #21 of the CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners in the second half at McCarthey Athletic Center on December 31, 2018 in Spokane, Washington. Gonzaga defeated CSU Bakersfield 89-54.
Q&A
What caused Brandon Clarke's death?
The cause of Brandon Clarke's death has not been publicly disclosed.
What was Brandon Clarke's career like in the NBA?
Brandon Clarke was drafted 21st overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2019 and played for the Memphis Grizzlies, where he had a promising career despite injuries.
How did Brandon Clarke's injury affect his last season?
Brandon Clarke suffered a calf injury in December that sidelined him for the remainder of the season.
What impact did Brandon Clarke have on the Memphis Grizzlies?
Brandon Clarke was known for his athleticism and skill, contributing significantly to the Grizzlies' performance during his time with the team.
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Brandon Clarke #15 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs goes up for a shot against Kaleb Bishop #12 of the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights during the first half in the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Vivint Smart Home Arena on March 21, 2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Brandon Clarke #15 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs dunks the ball against the Baylor Bears during their game in the Second Round of the NCAA Basketball Tournament at Vivint Smart Home Arena on March 23, 2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Brandon Clarke speaks to the media ahead of the 2019 NBA Draft at the Grand Hyatt New York on June 19, 2019 in New York City.
Brandon Clarke reacts after being drafted with the 21st overall pick by the Oklahoma City Thunder during the 2019 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 20, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City.
Brandon Clarke #15 of the Memphis Grizzlies brings the ball up the court against the New Orleans Pelicans during a semifinal game of the 2019 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 14, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Grizzlies defeated the Pelicans 88-86 in overtime.
Summer League co-founder Albert Hall (L) presents Brandon Clarke #15 of the Memphis Grizzlies with the 2019 NBA Las Vegas Summer League MVP trophy before the championship game of the 2019 NBA Summer League between the Grizzlies and the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 15, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Brandon Clarke #15 of the Memphis Grizzlies shoots against Canyon Barry #24 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the championship game of the 2019 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 15, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Grizzlies defeated the Timberwolves 95-92.
Brandon Clarke of the Memphis Grizzlies poses for a portrait during the 2019 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot on August 11, 2019 at the Ferguson Recreation Center in Madison, New Jersey.
Dwight Howard #39 of the Los Angeles Lakers has the ball knocked out of his hands by Brandon Clarke #15 of the Memphis Grizzlies during the first half of the basketball game at Staples Center on October 29, 2019 in Los Angeles, California.
Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors dribbles the ball against Brandon Clarke #15 of the Memphis Grizzlies during the first quarter in Game Six of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Semifinals at Chase Center on May 13, 2022 in San Francisco, California.
Brandon Clarke #15 of the Memphis Grizzlies drives to the basket against Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the fourth quarter at Crypto.com Arena on January 9, 2022 in Los Angeles.
Brandon Clarke #15 of the Memphis Grizzlies poses for a photo during Memphis Grizzlies Media Day at FedExForum on October 2, 2023 in Memphis, Tennessee.
Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball against Brandon Clarke #15 of the Memphis Grizzlies during the first half at FedExForum on November 6, 2024 in Memphis, Tennessee.
Brandon Clarke #15 of the Memphis Grizzlies reacts during the first half against the Golden State Warriors at FedExForum on December 19, 2024 in Memphis, Tennessee.
Brandon Clarke #15 of the Memphis Grizzlies poses for a photo during media day at FedExForum on September 30, 2024 in Memphis, Tennessee.
Memphis Grizzlies guard Brandon Clarke (15) drives to the basket while defended by San Antonio Spurs center Charles Bassey (28) during the first half at Frost Bank Center on Jan. 15, 2025 in San Antonio, Texas.
Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke (15) walks to the locker room before a game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on March 19, 2025 in Portland, Oregon.
Grizzlies' Brandon Clarke (15) walks onto the court for open practice at the FedExForum on October 4, 2025, in Memphis, Tenn.
Grizzlies' Brandon Clarke (15) and Grizz talk on the bench during open practice at the FedExForum on October 4, 2025, in Memphis, Tenn.
1 / 22
Memphis Grizzlies player Brandon Clarke dies at 29. His career in photos
Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke died, his sports agency announced in a statement released on Tuesday, May 12. He was 29-years-old.
This season, he suffered a calf injury in December that sidelined him for the rest of the campaign.
See his career on and off court in photos.
2 / 22
Memphis Grizzlies player Brandon Clarke dies at 29. His career in photos
Brandon Clarke #15 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs puts up a shot against the Texas A&M Aggies in the second half at McCarthey Athletic Center on November 15, 2018 in Spokane, Washington. Gonzaga defeated Texas A&M 94-71.
3 / 22
Memphis Grizzlies player Brandon Clarke dies at 29. His career in photos
Brandon Clarke #15 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs goes to the basket against Darrin Person #25 and Greg Lee #21 of the CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners in the second half at McCarthey Athletic Center on December 31, 2018 in Spokane, Washington. Gonzaga defeated CSU Bakersfield 89-54.
4 / 22
Memphis Grizzlies player Brandon Clarke dies at 29. His career in photos
Brandon Clarke #15 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs goes up for a shot against Kaleb Bishop #12 of the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights during the first half in the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Vivint Smart Home Arena on March 21, 2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
5 / 22
Memphis Grizzlies player Brandon Clarke dies at 29. His career in photos
Brandon Clarke #15 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs dunks the ball against the Baylor Bears during their game in the Second Round of the NCAA Basketball Tournament at Vivint Smart Home Arena on March 23, 2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
6 / 22
Memphis Grizzlies player Brandon Clarke dies at 29. His career in photos
Brandon Clarke speaks to the media ahead of the 2019 NBA Draft at the Grand Hyatt New York on June 19, 2019 in New York City.
7 / 22
Memphis Grizzlies player Brandon Clarke dies at 29. His career in photos
Brandon Clarke reacts after being drafted with the 21st overall pick by the Oklahoma City Thunder during the 2019 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 20, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City.
8 / 22
Memphis Grizzlies player Brandon Clarke dies at 29. His career in photos
Brandon Clarke #15 of the Memphis Grizzlies brings the ball up the court against the New Orleans Pelicans during a semifinal game of the 2019 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 14, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Grizzlies defeated the Pelicans 88-86 in overtime.
9 / 22
Memphis Grizzlies player Brandon Clarke dies at 29. His career in photos
Summer League co-founder Albert Hall (L) presents Brandon Clarke #15 of the Memphis Grizzlies with the 2019 NBA Las Vegas Summer League MVP trophy before the championship game of the 2019 NBA Summer League between the Grizzlies and the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 15, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
10 / 22
Memphis Grizzlies player Brandon Clarke dies at 29. His career in photos
Brandon Clarke #15 of the Memphis Grizzlies shoots against Canyon Barry #24 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the championship game of the 2019 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 15, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Grizzlies defeated the Timberwolves 95-92.
11 / 22
Memphis Grizzlies player Brandon Clarke dies at 29. His career in photos
Brandon Clarke of the Memphis Grizzlies poses for a portrait during the 2019 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot on August 11, 2019 at the Ferguson Recreation Center in Madison, New Jersey.
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Memphis Grizzlies player Brandon Clarke dies at 29. His career in photos
Dwight Howard #39 of the Los Angeles Lakers has the ball knocked out of his hands by Brandon Clarke #15 of the Memphis Grizzlies during the first half of the basketball game at Staples Center on October 29, 2019 in Los Angeles, California.
13 / 22
Memphis Grizzlies player Brandon Clarke dies at 29. His career in photos
Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors dribbles the ball against Brandon Clarke #15 of the Memphis Grizzlies during the first quarter in Game Six of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Semifinals at Chase Center on May 13, 2022 in San Francisco, California.
14 / 22
Memphis Grizzlies player Brandon Clarke dies at 29. His career in photos
Brandon Clarke #15 of the Memphis Grizzlies drives to the basket against Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the fourth quarter at Crypto.com Arena on January 9, 2022 in Los Angeles.
15 / 22
Memphis Grizzlies player Brandon Clarke dies at 29. His career in photos
Brandon Clarke #15 of the Memphis Grizzlies poses for a photo during Memphis Grizzlies Media Day at FedExForum on October 2, 2023 in Memphis, Tennessee.
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Memphis Grizzlies player Brandon Clarke dies at 29. His career in photos
Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball against Brandon Clarke #15 of the Memphis Grizzlies during the first half at FedExForum on November 6, 2024 in Memphis, Tennessee.
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Memphis Grizzlies player Brandon Clarke dies at 29. His career in photos
Brandon Clarke #15 of the Memphis Grizzlies reacts during the first half against the Golden State Warriors at FedExForum on December 19, 2024 in Memphis, Tennessee.
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Memphis Grizzlies player Brandon Clarke dies at 29. His career in photos
Brandon Clarke #15 of the Memphis Grizzlies poses for a photo during media day at FedExForum on September 30, 2024 in Memphis, Tennessee.
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Memphis Grizzlies player Brandon Clarke dies at 29. His career in photos
Memphis Grizzlies guard Brandon Clarke (15) drives to the basket while defended by San Antonio Spurs center Charles Bassey (28) during the first half at Frost Bank Center on Jan. 15, 2025 in San Antonio, Texas.
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Memphis Grizzlies player Brandon Clarke dies at 29. His career in photos
Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke (15) walks to the locker room before a game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on March 19, 2025 in Portland, Oregon.
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Memphis Grizzlies player Brandon Clarke dies at 29. His career in photos
Grizzlies' Brandon Clarke (15) walks onto the court for open practice at the FedExForum on October 4, 2025, in Memphis, Tenn.
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Memphis Grizzlies player Brandon Clarke dies at 29. His career in photos
Grizzlies' Brandon Clarke (15) and Grizz talk on the bench during open practice at the FedExForum on October 4, 2025, in Memphis, Tenn.
The native of Vancouver, Canada played three years of college basketball, including one season at Gonzaga, and he was a member of the Memphis Grizzlies for all seven seasons of his NBA career.
Clarke made an impact in his community and, after the news of his passing circulated, he was remembered around the internet with high praise.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver said Clarke was, "a beloved teammate and leader who played the game with enormous passion and grit."
Brandon Clarke's NBA career
Brandon Clarke spent all seven seasons of his NBA career with the Memphis Grizzlies. He was drafted in 2019 as the No. 21 overall pick by the Oklahoma City Thunder and was traded to the Grizzlies on the same day.
He averaged 10.2 points per game and was mostly a bench player. He participated in all 64 games of the 2021-2022 and 2024-2025 seasons. He was part of the All-Rookie team and was fourth in Rookie of the Year voting in 2019-2020 when he averaged 12.1 points per outing in 58 games and four starts.
His last season, the 2025-2026 campaign, was marred by a calf injury he suffered in December.
The Grizzlies made the playoffs four times while Clarke was a member of the team.
Brandon Clarke's philanthropy
In 2025, Brandon Clarke launched the Brandon Clarke Foundation, aiming to help families struck by tragedies, moms and others throughout Memphis. The foundation has since donated to ARise2Read, a non-profit organization focused on helping kids enhance their literacy skills outside the classroom. Clarke also hosted a holiday celebration at the Buckman Boys & Girls Club, where the foundation families were provided with food, gifts and games, and Clarke also made a donation. — Damichael Cole, Memphis Commercial Appeal
Memphis Grizzlies power forward Brandon Clarke (15) warms up before the game against the Washington Wizards at FedExForum.
Memphis Grizzlies power forward Brandon Clarke (15) warms up before the game against the Washington Wizards at FedExForum.
Brandon Clarke's arrest
A month before his passing, Brandon Clarke was arrested in Arkansas after being pulled over by police. He was charged with multiple offenses, including fleeing/exceeding the speed limit, trafficking a controlled substance, and possession of a controlled substance.
Brandon Clarke's college career
Brandon Clarke spent two seasons at San Jose State before he transferred to Gonzaga. He spent the 2019 season with the Bulldogs, who also had current Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura, and they went to the Elite Eight. Clarke had 36 points in the second round game against Baylor, which was a school record for an NCAA Tournament game.
Brandon Clarke's music
Brandon Clarke was among the many basketball players who had an interest in music. He released a handful of songs under the name BCVS, rapping over a variety of beats from trap to ethereal. The bio for his music Instagram page said, "Multiple albums otw" and he said in multiple posts that making music was "therapeutic" for him.
