Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke died in May from the combined effects of heroin, cocaine, and prescription medications, according to a ruling by the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner. Authorities classified the death as accidental.
Paramedics pronounced Clarke, 29, unresponsive at a San Fernando Valley home on May 11, 2026. While the full report is pending, the medical examiner's office noted that the "combined effects of multiple prescription medications" were a "significant" contributor to his death, though the specific medications were not disclosed.
The Canada-born player was selected in the first round of the 2019 NBA draft. He played 309 games in the league, averaging 10.2 points per game, but saw limited action in the 2025-26 season due to injuries. Clarke was also arrested in Arkansas a month prior to his death on charges including speeding and possession of a controlled substance.
Clarke, a dual citizen of Canada and the USA, played college basketball at San Jose State and Gonzaga before being drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder and subsequently traded to the Grizzlies.
In a statement following his death, the Grizzlies organization expressed their heartbreak, describing Clarke as an "outstanding team-mate and an even better person whose impact on the organisation and the greater Memphis community will not be forgotten."