EmailPrintMemphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke has died, the team, his agency and the NBA said Tuesday. He was 29.Neither the Grizzlies nor Clarke's agency, Priority Sports, provided any details about Clarke's death.LAPD sources confirmed to ABC News that Clarke was found dead from a possible drug overdose Monday in a home located in Los Angeles' San Fernando Valley. Narcotics were found at the scene, and there was no evidence of foul play, sources told ABC News.NBC4 in Los Angeles first reported details surrounding Clarke's death Tuesday.The Grizzlies said in a statement that they "are 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 not be forgotten," the team said.Priority Sports said in a statement that it is "just impossible to put into words how much he'll be missed." Clarke was drafted in the first round by the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2019 and was traded two weeks later to Memphis, where he played his entire seven-year career."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," NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. "Our thoughts and sympathies are with Brandon's family, friends and the Grizzlies organization."The National Basketball Players Association said: "This is an incredible loss for the brotherhood. We will remember Brandon not only for the immense joy he brought to so many throughout his career, but for the genuine friendships he built far beyond basketball."Clarke was arrested April 1 in Arkansas for speeding and possession of a controlled substance that was reportedly kratom, an herbal supplement promoted as an alternative pain remedy that becomes illegal in Tennessee as of July 1. He was released on bond a day later.Clarke was the 21st overall pick out of Gonzaga in the 2019 NBA draft by Oklahoma City, which dealt his rights to the Grizzlies, who already drafted guard Ja Morant second overall.Clarke joined Morant on the NBA's All-Rookie during the pandemic-shortened 2019-20 season, averaging 12.1 points and 5.9 rebounds in 58 games while finishing fourth in Rookie of the Year voting.Clarke served primarily as a valuable bench player early in his career and signed a four-year, $52 million extension with the Grizzlies in October 2022. He suffered a season-ending torn Achilles in March 2023 and appeared in only six games the following season.Injuries have limited Clarke to just 72 of a possible 246 games over the past three seasons, including only two this season. He averaged 10.2 points and 5.5 rebounds over his seven seasons with the Grizzlies.Clarke's college career began at San Jose State and ended at Gonzaga (2018-19). In his only season there, he averaged 16.9 points and led the 33-win Bulldogs to the NCAA tournament regional final, and he was named to the Wooden All-America team.The Associated Press contributed to this report.
