Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Article (news)

Agence France-Presse

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1778633578342photo-collage.png (1) (3).jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke, 29, has died, the NBA team said in a statement on Tuesday. <em>NBA/Facebook</em></span></span></span></div><p>LOS ANGELES, United States — Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke, 29, has died, the NBA team said in a statement on Tuesday.</p><p>&quot;We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of Brandon Clarke,&quot; the Grizzlies said in a statement posted on social media.</p><p>&quot;Brandon was an outstanding teammate and an even better person whose impact on the organization and the greater Memphis community will not be forgotten.&quot;</p><p>His management company, Priority Sports, said in a statement they were &quot;beyond devastated&quot; by Clarke&#x27;s death.</p><p>&quot;He was the gentlest soul, who was the first to be there for all of his friends and family,&quot; the agency said.</p><p>Neither statement provided information on a cause of death.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fnba%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0MpRrBsHezzacRneCNS9te2SuehpoBhnTLVDe45RWsS6zGbXXwucNd8sGKZw5bmdZl&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" width="500" height="711" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><div><br/></div><p>The NBC television affiliate in Los Angeles cited unnamed law enforcement sources in reporting Clarke was found dead on Monday in a home in the suburban San Fernando Valley, where paramedics responded to an emergency call.</p><p>The station reported that authorities were investigating Clarke&#x27;s death as a possible drug overdose.</p><p>&quot;We are devastated to learn of the passing of Brandon Clarke,&quot; NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement.</p><p>&quot;As one of the longest-tenured members of the Grizzlies, Brandon was a beloved teammate and leader who played the game with enormous passion and grit.</p><p>&quot;Our thoughts and sympathies are with Brandon’s family, friends and the Grizzlies organization.&quot;</p><p>Grizzlies star Ja Morant also paid tribute to his teammate with several posts on Instagram, including one photo of Clarke enveloping him in a hug on court.</p><p>&quot;It&#x27;s bigger than basketball,&quot; Morant wrote.</p><p>Clarke was the 21st overall selection in the 2019 NBA draft and earned all-rookie honors in his opening season.</p><p>He inked a four-year, $50 million contract extension with the Grizzlies in 2022.</p><p>But he&#x27;d battled injuries in recent seasons. He played just six games in the 2023-24 season and after playing 64 games in 2024-25 Clarke played just two games this season because of calf and knee trouble.</p><p>His death comes six weeks after he was arrested in Arkansas on charges that included possession of a controlled substance and fleeing in a vehicle while speeding.</p><div><strong><br/></strong></div><div><strong><br/></strong><strong>© Agence France-Presse</strong></div><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><p>.</p>

<p>Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke, 29, has died, the NBA team said in a statement on Tuesday.</p>

Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke, 29, has died, the NBA team said in a statement on Tuesday.

Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke dies at 29: team

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Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke dies at 29: team

Agence France-Presse

Published May 13, 2026 08:53 AM PHT

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Memphis Grizzlies

Brandon Clarke

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