Brandon Clarke died on Monday, cutting short an NBA career plagued by injuries.
The Grizzlies forward’s death at the age of 29 is under investigation as a possible drug overdose.
His NBA career began as the No. 21 overall pick in 2019 out of Gonzaga. Clarke proved to be a strong rotation piece for the Grizzlies in his first three seasons until a series of injuries limited his on-court contributions.
In October 2022, he inked a four-year, $52 million contract extension with Memphis, but his season ended early due to a torn left Achilles in March 2023.
That injury and a lengthy recovery process kept Clarke to just six games during the 2023-24 season.
In the following season, he played 64 games before sustaining a high-grade PCL injury in his right knee.
As a result, Clarke missed the start of the 2025-26 season and returned for two games in December before a right calf injury put him on the shelf again.
“Just keep playing basketball,” Clarke said in December of his plans after coming back from his knee injury. “I’m kind of used to just expecting nothing else. I can jump higher than I did last year, according to the trainers. I’m feeling good. Just keep working and everything is going to come together nicely.”
Memphis announced on March 24 that the Vancouver native would not return for the remainder of the season.
Things also took a turn off the court for Clarke, who was arrested on drug charges in Arkansas on April 1, six weeks before his death.
He was facing charges of trafficking a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, fleeing in a vehicle exceeding the speed limit and improper passing.
Per TMZ, the case was still open before his death on Monday.
“We are devastated to learn of the passing of Brandon Clarke,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement on Tuesday. “As 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’s family, friends and the Grizzlies organization.”