NBA player Brandon Clarke dies at 29

The Memphis Grizzlies announced on Tuesday the death of Brandon Clarke, 29, a player for this NBA franchise for seven years, although the causes of death have not been made public. “We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of Brandon Clarke. Brandon was an exceptional teammate and an even better person, whose impact on the organization and the greater Memphis community will not be forgotten,” the Memphis Grizzlies lamented in a statement. “We express our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones during this difficult time,” they added.

The franchise has not provided further details about the death of the forward, who in his first year in the league was selected to the All-Rookie First Team. “We are devastated by the news of Brandon Clarke's passing. Brandon was a bright light in our league, known for his incredible athleticism, competitive spirit, and genuine character. His loss leaves a profound void within the NBA family. We send our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and the entire Memphis Grizzlies organization during this time of immense grief,” said league commissioner Adam Silver in another statement.

Selected with the 21st pick in the draft of 2019 by the Memphis Grizzlies, Clarke had developed his entire career in Memphis, averaging 10.2 points and 5.5 rebounds in 309 games. Although he only started in 50 of these games, he stood out as an important player for his contribution off the bench. In total, he had played 309 NBA games over seven seasons. This past regular season, in which the Grizzlies finished with the sixth-worst record in the league, Clarke only played two games due to a severe calf injury he suffered in December.

In April, he was arrested in Arkansas on charges of possession and trafficking of controlled substances after having fled. He was found with 200 grams of kratom – a legal drug – during a chase in which he was driving at more than 160 kilometers per hour.