Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke, 29, has died, the NBA team said in a statement on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are heartbroken by the tragic loss of Brandon Clarke,\u201d the Grizzlies said in a statement that did not elaborate on Clarke\u2019s cause of death.<\/p>\n
\u201cBrandon was an outstanding teammate and an even better person whose impact on the organisation and the greater Memphis community will not be forgotten.\u201d His management company, Priority Sports, said in a statement they were \u201cbeyond devastated\u201d by Clarke\u2019s death.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was the gentlest soul, who was the first to be there for all of his friends and family,\u201d the agency said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are devastated to learn of the passing of Brandon Clarke,\u201d NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs one of the longest-tenured members of the Grizzlies, Brandon was a beloved teammate and leader who played the game with enormous passion and grit.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur thoughts and sympathies are with Brandon\u2019s family, friends and the Grizzlies organisation.\u201d<\/p>\n
Clarke was the 21st overall selection in the 2019 NBA draft and earned all-rookie honours in his opening season.<\/p>\n
He inked a four-year, $50 million contract extension with the Grizzlies in 2022. But he\u2019d battled injuries in recent seasons.<\/p>\n
He played just six games in the 2023-24 season and after playing 64 games in 2024-25 Clarke played just two games this season because of calf and knee trouble.<\/p>\n
His death comes six weeks after he was arrested in Arkansas on charges that included possession of a controlled substance and fleeing in a vehicle while speeding.<\/p>\n
FIRST OPENLY GAY MAN IN US SPORT DIES<\/p>\n
Jason Collins, the former NBA player who became the first openly gay man to play in a major US pro sports league, has died after a battle with brain cancer, his family said Tuesday.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are heartbroken to share that Jason Collins, our beloved husband, son, brother and uncle has died after a valiant fight with glioblastoma,\u201d Collins\u2019 family said in a statement released through the league.<\/p>\n
\u201cJason changed lives in unexpected ways and was an inspiration to all who knew him and to those who admired him from afar.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are grateful for the outpouring of love and prayers over the past eight months and for the exceptional medical care Jason received from his doctors and nurses. Our family will miss him dearly.\u201d <\/p>\n
Collins, 47, had revealed in a brief statement in September that he was undergoing treatment for a brain tumor and in December told ESPN that he had been diagnosed with a \u201cmultiforme\u201d glioblastoma that was growing quickly.<\/p>\n
He said that with the support of his husband, Brunson Green, and other friends and family he began treatment with medication followed by radiation and chemotherapy, opting to pursue innovative treatment in Singapore.<\/p>\n
After treatment he was able to return home and attended NBA All-Star Weekend events in Los Angeles.<\/p>\n
Collins retired in 2014 after a 13-year NBA career that included time with the Nets — in both New Jersey and Brooklyn — the Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, Atlanta Hawks and Boston Celtics.<\/p>\n
He announced he was gay in a 2013 Sports Illustrated story and the following year played 22 games for the Brooklyn Nets, coached at the time by his former New Jersey teammate Jason Kidd.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I did come out publicly, it was interesting, it was very rare, but I got back-to-back calls from Oprah Winfrey and President Barack Obama,\u201d Collins recalled in a November interview with ESPN. <\/p>\n
\u201cPresident Obama said \u2018Congratulations — what you\u2019ve done today will have a positive impact on someone you might not ever meet in your lifetime.\u2019\u201d <\/p>\n
He said he hoped discussing his cancer diagnosis could help a stranger in the same way.<\/p>\n
\u201cJason Collins\u2019 impact and influence extended far beyond basketball as he helped make the NBA, WNBA and larger sports community more inclusive and welcoming for future generations,\u201d NBA commissioner Adam Silver said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe exemplified outstanding leadership and professionalism throughout his 13-year NBA career and in his dedicated work as an NBA Cares Ambassador.<\/p>\n
\u201cJason will be remembered not only for breaking barriers, but also for the kindness and humanity that defined his life and touched so many others.<\/p>\n
\u201cOn behalf of the NBA, I send my heartfelt condolences to Jason\u2019s husband, Brunson, and his family, friends and colleagues across our leagues.\u201d<\/p>\n