NBA player Brandon Clarke has died at the age of 29.
His death was announced on Tuesday, May 12, by the Memphis Grizzlies and his agency, Priority Sports. No cause of death was disclosed.
In a statement, the Grizzlies said they were “heartbroken by the tragic loss” of Clarke.
“Brandon was an outstanding teammate and an even better person whose impact on the organization and the greater Memphis community will never be forgotten,” the team stated.
Priority Sports also paid tribute, saying it was “impossible to put into words how much he will be missed.”
Clarke was selected in the first round of the 2019 NBA Draft by the Oklahoma City Thunder before being traded to Memphis two weeks later, where he spent his entire seven-year NBA career.
The NBA described Clarke as a beloved teammate and leader who played with “enormous passion and grit.”
“Our thoughts and sympathies are with Brandon’s family, friends, and the Grizzlies organization,” the league said in a statement.
Clarke enjoyed an impressive rookie campaign during the shortened 2019–20 season, averaging 12.1 points and 5.9 rebounds in 58 games. He earned a spot on the NBA All-Rookie Team and finished fourth in Rookie of the Year voting.
Known for his energy and reliability off the bench, Clarke signed a four-year, $52 million contract extension with Memphis in October 2022.
However, injuries disrupted the later stages of his career. He suffered a torn Achilles tendon in March 2023, limiting his appearances over the next two seasons. After playing 64 games in the 2024–25 season, Clarke featured in only two games this season due to calf and knee injuries.
