Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke has died, the workforce, his company and the NBA mentioned Tuesday. He was 29.
Neither the Grizzlies nor Clarke’s company, Priority Sports, instantly offered any particulars about when, the place or how Clarke died.
“We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of Brandon Clarke. Brandon was an outstanding teammate and an even better person whose impact on the organization and the greater Memphis community will not be forgotten,” the Grizzlies mentioned in an announcement. “We express our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones during this difficult time.”
His agents wrote on social media that they had been “beyond devastated” by Clarke’s loss of life.
“He was so loved by all of us here and everyone whose life he touched,” Priority Sports mentioned. “He was the gentlest soul who was the first to be there for all of his friends and family.”
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver expressed sympathies to Clarke’s household and pals and the Grizzlies group.
“We are devastated to learn of the passing of Brandon Clarke,” Silver mentioned. “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.”
The National Basketball Players Association mentioned: “This is an incredible loss for the brotherhood. We will remember Brandon not only for the immense joy he brought to so many throughout his career, but for the genuine friendships he built far beyond basketball.”
Clarke was arrested April 1 in Arkansas for dashing and possession of a managed substance that was reportedly kratom, an natural complement promoted in its place ache treatment that’s authorized to own in Tennessee. He was launched on bond a day later.
Clarke was the twenty first general select of Gonzaga within the 2019 NBA draft by Oklahoma, which dealt his rights to the Grizzlies, who already took guard Ja Morant at No. 2 general. Clarke joined Morant on the NBA’s All-Rookie workforce in 2020, and the Grizzlies gave him a multiyear contract extension in October 2022.
He tore his left Achilles tendon March 3, 2023, in a loss to the Denver Nuggets in a showdown of the highest two groups within the Western Conference. Injuries restricted him to 72 of a attainable 246 video games over the previous three seasons, together with solely two this season.
Clarke averaged 10.2 factors and 5.5 rebounds over his seven seasons with the Grizzlies.