Brandon Clarke, Memphis Grizzlies forward, dies at 29
RIP Brandon Clarke.
MEMPHIS, TN - NOVEMBER 24: Brandon Clarke #15 of the Memphis Grizzlies poses for a portrait on November 24, 2025 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke died on Tuesday afternoon.
He was 29 years old. ESPN reporter Shams Charania broke the news . Clarke spent all seven of his NBA seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies after being the No.
21 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. Clarke’s journey to being a first-round pick was an inspiring story: he spent two seasons at San Jose State where he had a broken three-point shot, transferred to Gonzaga and blossomed after sitting out a year. Clarke’s NBA career was plagued by injuries.
He only played two games this season. Clarke tore his left Achilles tendon in March 2023, suffered a PCL sprain in his right knee in 2025, and then was limited by a calf strain this season. He suffered from knee synovitis just before this season .