Seventh-year Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke died Monday at the age of 29, the team announced Tuesday.<\/p>\n
His death is being investigated as a potential overdose<\/a>, according to multiple reports, after police found drug paraphernalia inside the California home he was occupying Monday.<\/p>\n Los Angeles Fire Department officials received a 911 call about a medical emergency after 5 p.m. Monday, and paramedics declared Clarke dead after arriving at a San Fernando Valley residence, authorities told NBC Los Angeles<\/a>.<\/p>\n An autopsy reportedly is set to determine the official cause of death.<\/p>\n Brandon Clarke died at the age of 29. Getty Images<\/p>\n \u201cWe are heartbroken by the tragic loss of Brandon Clarke,\u201d the Grizzlies said in a statement Tuesday afternoon. \u201cBrandon was an outstanding teammate and an even better person whose impact on the organization and the greater Memphis community will not be forgotten.<\/p>\n \u201cWe express our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones during this difficult time.\u201d<\/p>\n Clarke appeared in two games with Memphis this season due to knee and calf injuries, and played in 309 in his career after being selected 21st overall out of Gonzaga by the Thunder in the 2019 NBA Draft.<\/p>\n He began his college career with San Jose State before working his way into the first round by earning All-American honors during his lone active season with Gonzaga.<\/p>\n Oklahoma City traded him to Memphis a few weeks after the draft.<\/p>\n The Vancouver native averaged 10.2 points and 5.5 rebounds across his career, and finished fourth in Rookie of the Year voting in the 2019-20 season after averaging a career-best 12.1 points per game.<\/p>\n He earned All-Rookie First-Team honors.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are devastated to learn of the passing of Brandon Clarke,\u201d NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. \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. Our thoughts and sympathies are with Brandon\u2019s family, friends and the Grizzlies organization.\u201d<\/p>\n Clarke signed a four-year, $52 million extension<\/a> with Memphis in October 2022, but struggled to stay healthy over the next few seasons.<\/p>\n A torn Achilles tendon suffered late in the 2022-23 limited him to six games the following year, and he underwent knee surgery last fall for knee synovitis<\/a> that sidelined him to start the campaign.<\/p>\n Brandon Clarke #15 of the Memphis Grizzlies drives against Maxi Kleber #42 of the Dallas Mavericks during the second half at FedExForum on January 06, 2025 in Memphis, Tenn. Getty Images<\/p>\n Clarke returned for two games in December before a calf strain derailed the rest of his season, with the team announcing in March he would not return later in the season.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cWe are all beyond devastated by the passing of Brandon Clarke,\u201d Clarke\u2019s agents at Priority Sports said in a statement. \u201cHe was so loved by all of us here, and everyone whose life he touched. He was the greatest soul who was the first to be there for all of his friends and family. Our hearts are so broken as we think about his mom, Whitney, his entire family, and all of his friend and teammates. From high school to San Jose State to Gonzaga to the Grizzlies, Brandon impacted everyone who was part of his life.<\/p>\n \u201cEveryone loved BC because he was always there as the most supportive friend you could ever imagine. He was so unique in the joy he brought to all of those in his life. It\u2019s just impossible to put into words how much he\u2019ll be missed. We love you, BC.\u201d<\/p>\n Clarke dunking against the Nets. in2024. Robert Sabo for NY Post<\/p>\n Ahead of his final season and the day before he turned 29, Clarke donated $1,500 to a local Memphis school to help literacy awareness, plus funding supplies, per the Memphis Commercial Appeal<\/a>.<\/p>\n He also created the Brandon Clarke Foundation in 2025.<\/p>\n \u201cEvery time I get to talk to kids, I try to get that in their minds that school is important, teachers are important and grades matter,\u201d Clarke told the outlet last September.<\/p>\n \u201cI couldn\u2019t have made it here without locking in on reading, writing and all of that stuff.\u201d<\/p>\n Clarke dealt with legal issues last month when he was arrested on drug charges in Arkansas<\/a>.<\/p>\n He faced charges of trafficking a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, fleeing in a vehicle exceeding the speed limit and improper passing.<\/p>\n