Canadian forward Brandon Clarke, who spent his entire NBA career with the Memphis Grizzlies, has passed away at 29 years old. The team and Clarke’s agency confirmed his death in separate announcements on Tuesday. The Grizzlies expressed their condolences, praising Clarke as an exceptional teammate and individual who made a lasting impact on the organization and the Memphis community.
Born in Vancouver, Clarke was selected as the 21st overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft by Oklahoma before his rights were traded to the Grizzlies. He was part of the NBA’s All-Rookie team in 2020 and represented Canada as one of four players on the world team that year.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver expressed devastation over Clarke’s sudden death, highlighting Clarke as a beloved, passionate player and leader within the Grizzlies organization. Clarke, who recently signed a multiyear contract extension with the Grizzlies in 2022, maintained an average of 10.2 points and 5.5 rebounds over his seven seasons with the team.
Despite facing challenges during the 2025-26 season due to injuries, including a right calf strain and knee surgery, Clarke’s contributions to the team were significant. However, his off-court troubles, including an arrest in April in Cross County, Ark., on various charges, added a layer of complexity to his legacy. Clarke was released from custody the following day and was expected to appear in court on Friday.