Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke has died at 29. The team, NBA, and players’ association offered condolences.

A rising NBA career is being remembered across the league after Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke died at 29, the team, his agency and the NBA announced Tuesday.

The Grizzlies said they were “heartbroken” by Clarke’s passing. calling him an “outstanding teammate” and “an even better person.” In its statement. Memphis offered condolences to Clarke’s family and loved ones and said his impact on the organization and the broader Memphis community would not be forgotten.

Clarke’s agency, Priority Sports, also posted its condolences, describing the loss as devastating. The agency said Clarke was “so loved” by those around him and by everyone whose lives he touched, adding that he was known for being especially gentle and for showing up for friends and family.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver likewise expressed sympathy, saying the league was “devastated” by the news. Silver described Clarke as one of the Grizzlies’ longest-tenured players, portraying him as a beloved teammate and leader who played with “enormous passion and grit.”

The National Basketball Players Association mourned what it called a major loss to the players’ “brotherhood.” In its statement, the group said it would remember Clarke for the joy he brought during his career and for the friendships he built that extended beyond basketball.

The Grizzlies and Clarke’s agency did not immediately release details about when, where, or how he died. That absence of information has left questions unresolved for fans and teammates, while the league and team focus publicly on honoring his character and contributions.

In a separate development earlier this year. Clarke had been arrested in Arkansas on April 1 on allegations tied to speeding and possession of a controlled substance that was reportedly kratom. an herbal supplement that is promoted by some as an alternative pain remedy.. Clarke was released on bond a day later.

Clarke entered the NBA in 2019 when he was selected 21st overall in the draft by Oklahoma City, which later dealt his rights to the Grizzlies. Memphis had already chosen Ja Morant at No. 2, setting the stage for a roster that would later include both Morant and Clarke as key young pieces.

Clarke joined Morant on the NBA’s All-Rookie team in 2020, and the Grizzlies later rewarded him with a multiyear contract extension in October 2022. Over time, that early promise evolved into a steady role on a team competing in the Western Conference.

His professional path was significantly shaped by injury. Clarke tore his left Achilles tendon on March 3, 2023, in a loss to the Denver Nuggets, a game that featured the top two teams in the West at the time. The injury affected his availability for the following seasons.

According to the report, injuries limited Clarke to 72 games out of 246 possible over the past three seasons, including only two appearances this season. Those missed opportunities reflected how severe Achilles injuries can be for athletes, even for players known for effort and intensity.

Throughout his seven seasons with Memphis, Clarke averaged 10.2 points and 5.5 rebounds. Even during stretches when he was sidelined, he remained part of the Grizzlies’ identity, contributing on both the defensive end and through physical play when healthy.

The reactions from the Grizzlies. Clarke’s representation. league leadership. and players’ advocates underscore how the news has been treated as more than just a sports story.. Across public statements. there has been repeated emphasis on Clarke as a teammate and person. suggesting that his relationships and reputation were as central as his on-court output.

For Memphis supporters. the timing of the announcement also lands in the context of a season already defined by uncertainty around health and availability.. Clarke’s injuries had narrowed his role in recent months. and his passing adds a sudden. permanent loss to a period that had already required the team to adjust.

At the league level. Silver and the NBA players’ association both framed the moment as a loss to the broader community of players. reflecting the close-knit nature of the NBA’s culture.. For fans. teammates. and family. the statements leave space for grief while also highlighting what Clarke meant to others—both within the organization and beyond the game.

Brandon Clarke Memphis Grizzlies NBA news sports deaths Ja Morant Priority Sports Adam Silver