Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke died in May from an accidental overdose of heroin and cocaine, with prescription medications contributing significantly, the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner ruled. The 29-year-old basketball player was found dead inside his home in Southern California.
The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner released its findings, confirming that the 29-year-old basketball player’s death was accidental. Authorities discovered Clarke unresponsive in his bedroom at a residence in the 20300 block of Del Campo Place in Woodland Hills after the Los Angeles Fire Department responded to an emergency call just after 5 p.m. on May 11, pronouncing him dead at 5:15 p.m.
In addition to heroin and cocaine, the medical examiner listed the combined effects of multiple prescription medications
as a significant contributing factor in his passing. A person familiar with the terms of the investigation previously noted that drug paraphernalia was found at the residence.
Basketball Career and Contract Standing with Memphis
Clarke spent all seven of his professional seasons with the Grizzlies after being selected in the first round of the 2019 NBA Draft. Initially drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder, his rights were traded to Memphis on July 7, 2019. He quickly made his mark by earning MVP honors in the 2019 NBA Summer League, becoming the second non-American player to win the award.
Over 309 career games, Clarke averaged 10.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 20.8 minutes per contest, establishing himself as a reliable bench presence when healthy. His career was interrupted by injuries over his final three seasons, including a right knee surgery and a right calf strain that limited him to just two games during his final season.
At the time of his passing, Clarke was under contract to be with the Grizzlies through the 2026-27 season. He had a year remaining on a four-year contract worth $12.5 million annually, and the team anticipated he would make a full recovery for the following season.
Legal Troubles Preceding His Death
Weeks before his death, Clarke faced legal issues following a traffic stop in Arkansas. On April 1, he was arrested and booked on charges including speeding, reckless driving, possession of a controlled substance, improper passing, fleeing law enforcement at speeds topping 100 mph, and felony charges of trafficking a controlled substance.
Deputies alleged that he carried 235 grams of kratom, a plant-based substance not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, in a duffel bag inside his car. While kratom was classified as a felony narcotic in Arkansas, it remained legal in Tennessee, where Clarke owned a home. The coroner’s report did not note the presence of kratom, though he also faced misdemeanor counts for a THC vape pen and unsafe lane changes.
He was scheduled to appear at an arraignment on May 15 at the St. Francis County District Court in Forrest City, Arkansas, but the case was dismissed following his death.
Tributes and Remembrances Across the Basketball Community
Tributes poured in from teammates, coaches, and basketball organizations following the tragedy. The Grizzlies honored him with a memorial displayed in the team’s locker room at FedExForum in Memphis, featuring a depiction reading, Brandon Clarke 1996-2026 Forever in our hearts
.
“We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of Brandon Clarke. Brandon was an outstanding teammate and an even better person whose impact on the organization and the greater Memphis community will not be forgotten.”
Basketball figures who worked with Clarke throughout his amateur and professional career also shared memories of his character. Mark Few, his college coach at Gonzaga University, reflected on his time in Spokane.
The National Basketball Players Association released a statement emphasizing his standing within the league’s community, while his sports agency, Priority Sports, remembered him as a gentle soul who consistently supported his friends and family.
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