Memphis Grizzlies player Brandon Clarke's cause of death revealed
Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clark Dead at 29
Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clark has died at the age of 29, according to the Grizzlies, the NBA, and his agency. A cause of death was not immediately known.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke died from "the effects of heroin and cocaine," according to the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner.
Brandon Clarke’s cause of death
Big picture view:
The medical examiner’s office announced on Friday that the cause of death for the 29-year-old professional basketball player was determined to be the effects of heroin and cocaine. The manner of death was ruled an accident.
According to the medical examiner’s report, Clarke was found unresponsive in his bedroom at about 5 p.m. local time on May 11, 2026. Responding paramedics pronounced him dead at 5:15 p.m.
Brandon Clarke #15 of the Memphis Grizzlies looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on March 17, 2025 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. (Credit: Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
A deputy medical examiner conducted an examination of Clarke on May 12 at the department’s Forensic Science Center. His cause and manner of death were formally certified Aug. 7.
The full medical examiner’s report will be made available at a later date.
Brandon Clarke dies at 29
The backstory:
In May, emergency personnel who responded to the scene found drug paraphernalia in the home, said a person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because those details were not released publicly.
"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. We express our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones during this difficult time," the Memphis Grizzlies shared in a statement on its official X account.
Clarke played for San Jose State University during the 2016-2017 season.
RELATED: Brandon Clarke, Memphis Grizzlies player, dies at 29
He was selected 21st overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2019 NBA draft, and Memphis acquired his draft rights from Oklahoma City on draft night.
Clarke joined Morant on the NBA's All-Rookie team in 2020, and the Grizzlies gave him a multiyear contract extension in October 2022.
He tore his left Achilles tendon on March 3, 2023, in a loss to the Denver Nuggets in a showdown of the top two teams in the Western Conference. Injuries limited him to 72 of a possible 246 games over the past three seasons, including only two this season.
Clarke averaged 10.2 points and 5.5 rebounds over his seven seasons with the Grizzlies.
Clarke was also arrested on April 1 in Arkansas for speeding, improper passing and possession of a controlled substance that was reportedly kratom, a herbal supplement promoted as an alternative pain remedy.
The Source: The information for this story was provided by the Los Angeles County medical examiner’s office. This story was reported from Los Angeles. Previous FOX Local reporting contributed.