NBA forward Brandon Clarke, who played basketball for the Memphis Grizzlies, dies aged 29

Brandon Clarke, a professional basketball player with the Memphis Grizzlies, has died at the age of 29.

His team confirmed the forward's death in a statement on Tuesday and said they were "heartbroken by the tragic loss".

According to NBC Los Angeles, paramedics responded to an emergency call at a home in the San Fernando Valley on Monday evening, where they found Clarke dead.

The incident is being investigated as a possible drugs overdose, local police sources told the news channel.

Clarke was acquired by the Grizzlies in the first round of the 2019 NBA (National Basketball Association) draft and spent his entire career with the team. After undergoing knee surgery last year, he appeared in only two games during the 2025-26 season.

"We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of Brandon Clarke," the Grizzlies said in a statement.

"Brandon was an outstanding teammate and an even better person whose impact on the organisation and the greater Memphis community will not be forgotten."

He declared for the NBA in 2019, and was originally selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder, but was then traded to Memphis.

He tore his Achilles tendon in March 2023 and appeared in only six games in the following season. He played 64 games during the 2024-25 season, but only two this season due to knee and calf issues.

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In April, Clarke was arrested in Arkansas on charges that included speeding, possession of a controlled substance, and trafficking of a controlled substance.

In a post on social media on Tuesday, his agents Priority Sports wrote that they were "beyond devastated".

"He was so loved by all of us here and everyone whose life he touched... He was the gentlest soul who was the first to be there for all of his friends and family."

NBA commissioner Adam Silver said the league was "devastated" by Clarke's death, describing him as "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 organisation," he added in a statement.

Clarke averaged 10.2 points and 5.5 rebounds over his seven seasons with the Grizzlies.

(c) Sky News 2026: NBA forward Brandon Clarke, who played basketball for the Memphis Grizzlies, dies aged 29