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Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke has died, the team announced on Tuesday. He was 29.
“We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of Brandon Clarke,” the team’s statement read on X. “Brandon was an outstanding teammate and an even better person whose impact on the organization and the greater Memphis community will not be forgotten.
We express our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones during this difficult time.”
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver also released a statement on Clarke’s tragic passing.
“We are devastated to learn of the passing of Brandon Clarke. 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. Our thoughts and sympathies are with Brandon’s family, friends and the Grizzlies organization.”
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While Clarke was a first-round pick by the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2019, his rights were traded to the Grizzlies in exchange for the rights to Darius Bazley and a future second-round pick.
Clarke quickly made his impact known with the Grizzlies, earning MVP in the 2019 NBA Summer League, where the Vancouver native became the second non-American to ever win the award.
Clarke spent the past seven years with the Grizzlies, where he mainly played a role off the bench.
This past season was a rough one for Clarke, though. He played just two games, initially sitting out due to surgery needed on his right knee before a right calf strain he suffered forced him to miss most games this season.
Memphis announced in March that Clarke was still rehabbing his injury, but recent tests showed he needed more time to heal. As a result, the expectation was he would return next season.
Clarke got into some trouble with the law in April, as he was arrested in Arkansas on charges that included speeding and possession of a controlled substance.
He was booked into Cross County Jail on charges of improper passing, possession of a controlled substance, fleeing and exceeding the speed limit, and trafficking a controlled substance.
Clarke starred for Gonzaga during his college career before his impact on the Grizzlies. He made the 2019-20 All-Rookie team after averaging 12.1 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game in his bench role that season.
Clarke averaged 20.8 minutes on the floor across 309 career games, while tallying 10.2 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists per contest over his career.
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