NBA Forward Brandon Clarke Dies from Drug-Related Accident

Veteran Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke was found unresponsive in his bedroom on 11 May 2026 and pronounced dead by emergency responders. The County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner determined the cause of death as accidental, citing the combined effects of heroin, cocaine and multiple prescription medications.

Clarke was 29 years old and had been a high‑draft pick in 2019, playing a career total of 309 NBA games with an average of 10.2 points per outing. Because of injuries, he appeared in only two games during the 2025‑26 season. The Grizzlies released a statement expressing deep sorrow, calling him an “outstanding teammate and even a better person whose impact on the organization and the wider Memphis community will not be forgotten.”

A month before his death, Clarke was arrested in Arkansas on charges that included speeding and possession of a controlled substance. Born in Vancouver, Canada, he held dual citizenship in Canada and the United States. He played collegiate ball at San Jose State and Gonzaga before being drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder and traded to the Grizzlies shortly after.

The full medical examiner report, which specifies the exact prescription drugs involved, will be released later. Meanwhile the NBA and the Grizzlies community continue to mourn the loss of a player whose potential was still unfolding.

For more details see the official release from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner: Official Report.