Tragic NBA star’s cause of death revealed after he was found with ‘gas station heroin’ weeks before passing at 29
NBA forward Brandon Clarke’s death was caused by a lethal combination of hard drugs, according to authorities.
The 29-year-old was found unresponsive in a San Fernando Valley home on May 11, and according to the LA County investigators at the time, drug paraphernalia was found at the scene.
Now the Los Angeles County’s medical examiner has confirmed that Clarke died from an accidental overdose, specifically ‘the effects of heroin and cocaine.’
A Vancouver native who starred at Gonzaga before being drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies in 2019, Clarke had been on a downward trend before his passing. Most notably, he was arrested in Arkansas for allegedly passing multiple vehicles at over 100mph in a no-passing zone.
Footage of the arrest surfaced last month, showing the moment authorities found kratom in Clarke’s vehicle. Known otherwise as ‘gas station heroin,’ Kratom is illegal in Arkansas, although Clarke can be heard insisting the drug is legal in the police footage.
Clarke’s death was caused by a lethal combination of hard drugs, according to authorities
Clarke was only 29 when he died and his passing plunged the NBA world into mourning
‘It’s just kratom, it is legal,’ he told the officer in the clip.
Officers are also seen inspecting other substances packaged with names such as ‘gold rhino.’
Six weeks after that footage was recorded, Clarke was found dead in the San Fernando Valley.
The American Food and Drug Administration strongly recommends against using kratom and even warns it can cause ‘liver toxicity, seizures, substance use disorder’ and ‘in rare cases, deaths have been associated with kratom use… in combination with other drugs.’
The Mayo Clinic adds that ‘people who take kratom believe that it helps them. But kratom hasn’t been shown to be safe or to treat any medical conditions.’
Bodycam footage shows NBA player Brandon Clarke’s April arrest on speeding and drug possession charges in Arkansas, six weeks before the 29-year-old died in Los Angeles.
Inside Clarke’s bag was kratom, a supplement derived from leaves that is often sold at gas stations and is… pic.twitter.com/tqMCNPfdNL
— CBS News (@CBSNews) July 12, 2026
Police in Arkansas found kratom, otherwise known as ‘gas station heroin’, on Clarke
Police bodycam footage has shed light on Brandon Clarke’s arrest, six weeks before he died
It is possible Clarke might have been looking for pain relief given that he was restricted to only playing in two games for the Grizzlies last season due to ongoing injury issues.
He died just four months before his 30th birthday on September 19.
‘We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of Brandon Clarke,’ the Grizzlies said at the time of his death.
‘Brandon was an outstanding teammate and an even better person whose impact on the organization and the greater Memphis community will not be forgotten.’