The basketball community is in mourning after the death of Brandon Clarke, a forward for the Memphis Grizzlies. Clarke was found dead at a home in Los Angeles on Monday. He was 29.
The L.A. County medical examiner is investigating the cause of death.
Tributes Paid to Clarke
Clarke was remembered as an impactful player and a respected person. He played 309 games and seven seasons for Memphis, helping the Grizzlies reach the playoffs four times.
The Grizzlies released a statement saying: “We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of Brandon Clarke. Brandon was an outstanding teammate and an even better person whose impact on the organisation and the greater Memphis community will not be forgotten. We express our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones during this difficult time.”
Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kyle Anderson, a former Memphis player, spoke of Clarke as “a really good person, a really good teammate, obviously someone who was really good on the court”. Anderson added, “Just someone I could instantly see, and we would start laughing and start sharing jokes. He was Memphis’ own, for sure. He did his part in the community,” Anderson told The Athletic. “It’s just crazy. It really don’t make no sense. I was on the phone with him two weeks ago on FaceTime. It’s really still raw.”
The San Antonio Spurs held a moment of silence for Clarke and former NBA center Jason Collins before their game against the Wolves on Tuesday night.
Circumstances of Clarke’s Death
The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to an emergency call at a residence in the Woodland Hills neighbourhood a little after 5 p.m. Monday. Clarke was pronounced dead at the scene, according to a spokesman. The four-bedroom house was last listed for rent in March at $15,500 a month.
Legal Issues
Clarke was scheduled to appear at an arraignment hearing on Friday at the St. Francis County District Court in Forrest City, Ark. He was to face felony drug and traffic charges stemming from an April 1 arrest.
Clarke was charged with felony counts of trafficking of a controlled substance and fleeing law enforcement at high speeds, and misdemeanor counts of drug possession and traffic violations. He was released on a $25,000 bond the next day.
Clarke’s Background
Born in Vancouver, Canada, Clarke was raised in Phoenix. He spent his first two years of college at San Jose State before transferring to Gonzaga.
Clarke’s standout junior season in Spokane, Wash., saw him named a third-team All-American and helped the Bulldogs reach the Elite Eight. This performance solidified his status as a first-round 2019 NBA Draft pick.
Mark Few, Clarke’s coach at Gonzaga, recalled that Clarke had a “really screwed up looking shot” upon arrival in the fall of 2017. After redshirting that season, he worked with a Zags assistant and “changed his whole shot.”
The investigation into Clarke’s death is ongoing.