Newly released police bodycam footage has captured the arrest of NBA player Brandon Clarke in Arkansas, just six weeks prior to his death at age 29. The footage shows authorities stopping Clarke on April 1 for traveling at over 100 mph in a no-passing zone on Highway 64 in eastern Arkansas.
During the stop, officers discovered kratom, a substance also referred to as 'gas station heroin,' in Clarke's vehicle. The bodycam video shows Clarke telling officers that kratom is a legal substance. However, kratom is illegal in Arkansas, though it is legal in Tennessee, where Clarke had played his entire NBA career with the Memphis Grizzlies.
Officers also observed other packaged substances in the vehicle, with names such as 'gold rhino.'
Clarke was found dead in the San Fernando Valley on May 12. NBC4 reported at the time that his death was being investigated as a potential overdose. The inquest into his final days is ongoing, and it remains uncertain whether kratom played a role in his death.
Multiple studies in the United States have questioned the safety and effectiveness of kratom. The American Food and Drug Administration advises against its use, warning of potential side effects including liver toxicity, seizures, and substance use disorder. The Mayo Clinic also notes that while users believe it helps with pain relief, kratom has not been proven safe or effective for treating medical conditions.
Clarke's career with the Grizzlies was impacted by injuries. He missed 73 games in the last season due to surgery on his right knee and a subsequent right calf strain. He was selected 21st overall in the 2019 NBA Draft and was traded to Memphis shortly after.
Clarke's passing occurred just four months before his 30th birthday. The Memphis Grizzlies released a statement mourning his loss, describing him as an outstanding teammate and person whose impact on the organization and the Memphis community would not be forgotten.
