Brandon Clarke was a Canadian-American professional basketball player known for his high-energy play and efficiency as a forward for the Memphis Grizzlies. He gained public attention for his stellar college career at Gonzaga and San Jose State, earning NBA All-Rookie First Team honors in 2020 before his sudden death at age 29.
Quick Facts
Full Name: Brandon Clarke
Age: 29 (born September 19, 1996 – died May 11, 2026)
Nationality: Canadian-American
Occupation: Professional Basketball Player (Forward/Center)
Known For: Seven-season NBA career with the Memphis Grizzlies; 2020 NBA All-Rookie First Team; NCAA standout at Gonzaga
Marital Status: Not confirmed
Children: Not confirmed
Early Life and Background
Clarke was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, to a Canadian mother and Jamaican father. At age three, he moved with his family to Phoenix, Arizona, where he later became a dual citizen of Canada and the United States. He attended Desert Vista High School in Phoenix and was named an All-Arizona Division 1 honoree after leading his team to the championship game in 2015.
Career and Achievements
Clarke played two seasons at San Jose State University, where as a sophomore he averaged 17.3 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game, earning All-Mountain West First Team and All-Defensive Team honorable. He then transferred to Gonzaga, where he redshirted the 2017-18 season before becoming the first player in West Coast Conference history to win both Newcomer of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year in the same season. In the 2019 NCAA Tournament, Clarke scored a career-high 36 points with 8 rebounds and 5 blocks against Baylor, joining Shaquille O’Neal and David Robinson as the only players to record 35+ points and 5 blocks in an NCAA Tournament game.
Clarke was selected 21st overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2019 NBA Draft and was immediately traded to the Memphis Grizzlies, where he spent all seven seasons of his professional career. As a rookie in 2019-20, he averaged 12.1 points and 5.9 rebounds in 58 games, finishing fourth in Rookie of the Year voting and earning NBA All-Rookie First Team honors. Over his career, he averaged 10.2 points and 5.5 rebounds across 309 games, shooting an efficient 60.5% from the field.
Clarke signed a four-year, $52 million contract extension with the Grizzlies in October 2022 . His career was hampered by injuries, including a season-ending torn Achilles in March 2023 that limited him to only six games the following season, and a persistent calf injury that restricted him to just two games during the 2025-26 campaign.
Major Event or Controversy
On April 1, 2026, Clarke was arrested in Arkansas on charges including speeding, possession of a controlled substance, and fleeing in a vehicle. The case was still open at the time of his death.
Why He Is In the News
Clarke is in the news after his death on May 11, 2026, at age 29. The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a 911 call of a medical emergency at a home in the San Fernando Valley shortly after 5 p.m., where paramedics found Clarke dead. Law enforcement reported that drug paraphernalia was found in the home, and the incident is being investigated as a possible overdose. An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause and manner of death.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver released a statement saying the league was “devastated” and called Clarke “a beloved teammate and leader who played the game with enormous passion and grit”.
Conclusion
Brandon Clarke was a fan-favorite forward who brought relentless energy and efficiency to the Memphis Grizzlies for seven seasons. His sudden death at 29, now being investigated as a possible overdose following a recent arrest on drug and traffic charges, has sent shockwaves through the NBA community.
