Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke has died at age 29. The team and his agency Priority Sports confirmed the tragic news Tuesday without announcing a cause. Clarke played his entire seven-year NBA career with Memphis after being drafted first round by Oklahoma City in 2019 and traded two weeks later. The organization expressed being "heartbroken by the tragic loss."

Clarke emerged as a standout rookie during the pandemic-shortened 2019-20 season, averaging 12.1 points and 5.9 rebounds while making the NBA's All-Rookie Team and finishing fourth in Rookie of Year voting. He signed a four-year, $52 million extension with the Grizzlies in October 2022. His career was hampered by injuries including a torn Achilles in March 2023.

After playing in 64 games during the 2024-25 season, Clarke appeared in just two games this year due to calf and knee injuries. His college career began at San Jose State before transferring to Gonzaga, where he averaged 16.9 points in 2018-19 and led the Zags to the NCAA tournament regional final, earning Wooden All-America honors.