Brandon Clarke passed away on May 11 2026. Three days ago, at the age of 29. The Memphis Grizzlies forward was found dead. Neither the Grizzlies nor his agency provided details about his death. This is a sensitive and recent tragedy.
I can still write an article about Brandon Clarkes life and career. Here it is:
About Brandon Clarke
Brandon Clarke was one of the exciting young players in the National Basketball Association. He played for the Memphis Grizzlies. Was known for his amazing athleticism and energy off the bench. Sadly on May 11 2026 the basketball world lost Brandon Clarke at 29 years old.
This article covers Brandon Clarkes full life story, his National Basketball Association career, stats, awards and the legacy he leaves behind.
Brandon Clarke — Easy Info
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Brandon Clarke |
| Birth Date | September 19, 1996 |
| Birthplace | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Profession | Professional Basketball Player |
| NBA Team | Memphis Grizzlies |
| Position | Power Forward / Center |
| Height | 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) |
| Weight | Around 215 lbs (98 kg) |
| College | Gonzaga University |
| NBA Draft | 2019 NBA Draft |
| Draft Pick | 21st Overall Pick |
| Jersey Number | #15 |
| Known For | Athletic defense, shot blocking, energy, rebounding |
| Nickname | BC |
| League | National Basketball Association |
Brandon Clarke Life and Background
Brandon Clarke was born on September 19 1996 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. His mother, Whitney Triplett is Canadian and his father, Steve Clarke is Jamaican.
This made Brandon a dual citizen of both Canada and the United States.
When Brandon Clarke was three years old his family moved to Phoenix, Arizona. He grew there and attended Desert Vista High School, where he became a basketball star.
In 2015 Brandon Clarke helped lead Desert Vista to the Arizona Division 1 championship game. Was named an All-Arizona honoree.
College Career. San Jose State and Gonzaga
Brandon Clarke started his college career at San Jose State University. He then made the decision to transfer to Gonzaga University, which proved to be a turning point in Brandon Clarkes career.
In his one and only season at Gonzaga Brandon Clarke was unstoppable. He averaged 16.9 points per game. Led the Bulldogs to a 33-win season and the National Collegiate Athletic Association Tournament regional final.
I was Really Proud to Get College Honors at Gonzaga from 2018 to 2019
- I received a lot of awards including the WCC Newcomer of the Year and the WCC Defensive Player of the Year.
- The College Honors at Gonzaga and these awards were a deal for me.
- I was also named First-Team All-WCC.
- The College Honors at Gonzaga helped me to be named Third-Team All-American, for the Wooden Award.
National Basketball Association Career
Brandon Clarke was selected 21st overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2019 National Basketball Association Draft.
He was immediately traded to the Memphis Grizzlies, where he would spend his seven-year National Basketball Association career with the Memphis Grizzlies.
Brandon Clarke made his National Basketball Association debut on October 23 2019 coming off the bench and posting 8 points, 7 rebounds, an assist and a block. National Basketball Association fans quickly noticed Brandon Clarkes athleticism and shot-blocking ability.
Injury Battles. A Difficult Three Years
Despite his talent Brandon Clarke fought through serious injuries in the later part of his career with the Memphis Grizzlies. His resilience and determination never wavered, through the toughest setbacks.
2023
He had a problem with his left Achilles tendon. It got torn. This happened on March 3 2023 when he played against the Denver Nuggets. Because of this his 2022-23 season ended early.
2025
He got a sprain in his right knee. This is called a High-Grade PCL Sprain. He could not play anymore after March 22 2025. Had to sit out the rest of the season.
2025
He had to have surgery on his knee. This surgery was in September 2025. The doctors did this to help his knee feel better because he had some issues with it during training, in the offseason.
2026
He got a Grade 2 Calf Strain. This is a type of injury that’s not too bad but still hurts. He has not been able to play since December 20 2025. He will not be able to play all during the 2025-26 season because of this calf strain and his left Achilles tendon issue and his right knee problem.
Brandon Clarke Career Stats by Season
Here is what Brandon Clarke did in each of his NBA seasons:
Season Games Points Per Game Rebounds Per Game Assists Per Game Blocks Per Game Field Goal Percentage
- 2019–20 when Brandon Clarke was a rookie he played 58 games. Brandon Clarke scored 12.1 points per game. Brandon Clarke also got 5.9 rebounds per game. Brandon Clarke had 1.3 assists per game. Brandon Clarke blocked 1.3 shots per game. Brandon Clarke made 62.1 percent of his field goals.
- 2020–21 was different. Brandon Clarke played 46 games. Brandon Clarke scored 10.5 points per game. He got 5 rebounds per game. Brandon Clarke had 1.4 assists per game. Brandon Clarke blocked 1 shot per game. His field goal percentage was 58.4 percent.
- The season, 2021–22 Brandon Clarke played 66 games. Brandon Clarke scored 11 points per game. He got 5.3 rebounds per game. Brandon Clarke had 1.6 assists per game. Brandon Clarke blocked 1.2 shots per game. Brandon Clarke made 62.7 percent of his field goals.
- In the 2022–23 season Brandon Clarke played 23 games. Brandon Clarke scored 9.8 points per game. He got 5.5 rebounds per game. Brandon Clarke had 1 assist per game. Brandon Clarke blocked 0.9 shots per game. His field goal percentage was 61 percent.
- The 2023–24 season was not great for Brandon Clarke. He played 6 games. Brandon Clarke scored 6.2 points per game. He got 4 rebounds per game. Brandon Clarke had 0.8 assists per game. Brandon Clarke blocked 0.5 shots per game. Brandon Clarke made 55 percent of his field goals.
- In the 2024–25 season Brandon Clarke played 64 games. Brandon Clarke scored 8.3 points per game. He got 5.1 rebounds per game. Brandon Clarke had 1 assist per game. Brandon Clarke blocked 0.8 shots per game. His field goal percentage was 58.3 percent.
- The 2025–26 season is still going on. Brandon Clarke played 2 games far. Brandon Clarke scored 4.5 points per game. He got 3 rebounds per game. Brandon Clarke had 0.5 assists per game. Brandon Clarke blocked 0.5 shots per game. Brandon Clarke made 50 percent of his field goals.
- If we look at all of Brandon Clarkes seasons Brandon Clarke played 309 games. Brandon Clarke scored 10.2 points per game. He got 5.5 rebounds per game. Brandon Clarke had 1.3 assists, per game. Brandon Clarke blocked 1 shot per game. Brandon Clarke made 61 percent of his field goals.
Brandon Clarkes Legacy
Brandon Clarke was more than a basketball player. He was known by teammates as a kind, warm person with a great smile.
His college coach at Gonzaga Mark Few remembered Brandon Clarke as “one of the easygoing players we ever had.”
The National Basketball Players Association said: “This is a loss for the brotherhood. We will remember Brandon Clarke not for the immense joy he brought to so many throughout his career but for the genuine friendships he built far beyond basketball.”
Brandon Clarke was 29 years old and still under contract with the Memphis Grizzlies, for the 2026-27 season.
His passing shocked the National Basketball Association world and brought an outpouring of love from fans, players and coaches across the league.
NBA Awards And Achievements
The NBA All-Rookie First Team was something I was a part of in the 2019 to 2020 season.
- I also got to participate in the Rising Stars Challenge in the year 2020.
- I got a contract that is for 4 years and it is worth 52 million dollars this happened in October 2022.
- In the Sixth Man of the Year voting for the 2021 to 2022 season I was eleventh.
- The Rookie of the Year voting for the 2019 to 2020 season had me in place.
- My best score far is 27 points and that was against the Oklahoma City Thunder, in the year 2019.
(FAQ)
Who is Brandon Clarke?
Brandon Clarke was a basketball player in the NBA. He played as a Power Forward for the Memphis Grizzlies. The Memphis Grizzlies team picked Brandon Clarke in the 2019 NBA Draft. Brandon Clarke played for the Memphis Grizzlies for his career, which was 7 years.
When did Brandon Clarke die?
Brandon Clarke passed away on May 11 2026. He was 29 years old when he died. The police found Brandon at a house in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles, California.
What are Brandon Clarkes career stats?
Brandon Clarke played in 309 NBA games. In these games Brandon scored an average of 10.2 points per game. Brandon also got an average of 5.5 rebounds per game. Clarke had 1.3 assists and 1.0 blocks per game. Brandon was very good at shooting he made 61% of his shots.
What college did Brandon Clarke attend?
Brandon Clarke first went to San Jose State University. Then Brandon moved to Gonzaga University. Brandon had a year at Gonzaga. In his one year at Gonzaga Brandon Clarke scored an average of 16.9 points per game. Brandon won awards in his conference.
Was Brandon Clarke on the NBA All-Rookie Team?
Yes Brandon was on the team. Brandon Clarke was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2020. Brandon Clarkes teammate Ja Morant was also on the team. Ja Morant was the Rookie of the Year that season.
Where was Brandon Clarke born?
Brandon Clarke was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Brandon Clarke was born on September 19 1996. Brandon Clarke had two citizenships, one from Canada and one, from the United States. Brandon grew up in Phoenix, Arizona.
Rest in Peace Brandon Clarke
Clarke was born on September 19 1996. He passed away on May 11 2026.
Brandon Clarke will always be a Memphis Grizzly. He will stay in our hearts forever. We will remember Brandon Clarke.