Brandon Clarke was a Canadian-American professional basketball player born on September 19, 1996, in Vancouver, British Columbia. He played in the NBA for the Memphis Grizzlies and was selected 21st overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2019 NBA draft before being traded to the Grizzlies.
๐ Early Life and College Career
Clarke moved to Phoenix, Arizona at age three as a dual citizen of Canada and the U.S. He attended Desert Vista High School in Phoenix and was named an All-Arizona Division 1 honoree. He played two seasons for the San Jose State Spartans, earning Mountain West Conference Sixth Man of the Year as a freshman and All-Mountain West First Team as a sophomore.
Clarke transferred to Gonzaga University and redshirted the 2017โ18 season. In his junior season, he was named West Coast Conference’s Newcomer of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year, becoming the first player in WCC history to win both honors in the same season.
๐ NBA Career Highlights
Clarke was named MVP of the 2019 NBA Summer League, becoming the second non-American to win the award. He made his NBA debut on October 23, 2019, and was named to the 2019โ20 NBA All-Rookie First Team. On October 16, 2022, he signed a four-year, $52 million contract extension with the Grizzlies.
During the 2024โ25 NBA season, Clarke made 64 appearances averaging 8.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.0 assists. On March 22, 2025, he was ruled out for the remainder of the season after suffering a high-grade PCL sprain in his right knee.
โ๏ธ Legal Issues and Death
On April 1, 2026, Clarke was arrested in Cross County, Arkansas, for possession of a controlled substance (over 200 grams of kratom), fleeing and exceeding the speed limit, and trafficking a controlled substance. He was released on a $25,000 bond and scheduled to appear at an arraignment hearing. Clarke died on May 11, 2026, in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 29, with his death being investigated as a possible overdose.
| Category | Detail | Category | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Born | September 19, 1996 | Died | May 11, 2026 |
| NBA Draft | 21st overall, 2019 | NBA Team | Memphis Grizzlies |
| College | San Jose State, Gonzaga | All-Rookie | First Team (2020) |
| Arrest Date | April 1, 2026 | Death Location | Los Angeles, California |