The NBA community is mourning the death of Memphis Grizzlies player Brandon Clarke at the age of 29.
Brandon Clarke has died at the age of 29, the Memphis Grizzlies confirmed on Tuesday.
The Grizzlies and Clarke’s agency, Priority Sports, announced the news in separate statements. No cause of death was disclosed.
In a statement, Memphis described Clarke as “an outstanding teammate and an even better person” whose impact on the team and the local community would never be forgotten.
The National Basketball Association also paid tribute to Clarke, calling him a beloved teammate who played with “passion and grit” throughout his career.
Clarke was selected in the first round of the 2019 NBA Draft by the Oklahoma City Thunder before being traded to Memphis weeks later. He spent his entire seven-year NBA career with the Grizzlies.
The Canadian forward made an immediate impact during his rookie season, averaging 12.1 points and 5.9 rebounds while earning NBA All-Rookie Team honors and finishing fourth in Rookie of the Year voting.
Clarke later signed a four-year, $52 million contract extension with Memphis in 2022. However, injuries disrupted the later stages of his career, including a torn Achilles injury in 2023 and recurring calf and knee problems this season.
Tributes continue to pour in from across the basketball world following Clarke’s sudden death.