Memphis Grizzlies player Brandon Clarke dies at 29. His career in photos
Updated May 12, 2026, 2:19 p.m. ET
Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke died, his sports agency announced in a statement released on Tuesday, May 12. He was 29-years-old.
Clarke was drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder as the No. 21 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft and was traded to Memphis that day. He played one season at Gonzaga.This season, he suffered a calf injury in December that sidelined him for the rest of the campaign.
See his career on and off court in photos.
Matthew Smith, Imagn ImagesClarke was drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder as the No. 21 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft and was traded to Memphis that day. He played one season at Gonzaga.This season, he suffered a calf injury in December that sidelined him for the rest of the campaign.
See his career on and off court in photos.
Brandon Clarke #15 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs puts up a shot against the Texas A&M Aggies in the second half at McCarthey Athletic Center on November 15, 2018 in Spokane, Washington. Gonzaga defeated Texas A&M 94-71.
William Mancebo, Getty Images
Brandon Clarke #15 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs goes to the basket against Darrin Person #25 and Greg Lee #21 of the CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners in the second half at McCarthey Athletic Center on December 31, 2018 in Spokane, Washington. Gonzaga defeated CSU Bakersfield 89-54.
William Mancebo, Getty Images
Brandon Clarke #15 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs goes up for a shot against Kaleb Bishop #12 of the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights during the first half in the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Vivint Smart Home Arena on March 21, 2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Tom Pennington, Getty Images
Brandon Clarke #15 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs dunks the ball against the Baylor Bears during their game in the Second Round of the NCAA Basketball Tournament at Vivint Smart Home Arena on March 23, 2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Tom Pennington, Getty Images
Brandon Clarke speaks to the media ahead of the 2019 NBA Draft at the Grand Hyatt New York on June 19, 2019, in New York City.
Mike Lawrie/Getty Images
Brandon Clarke reacts after being drafted with the 21st overall pick by the Oklahoma City Thunder during the 2019 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 20, 2019, in the Brooklyn borough of New York City.
Sarah Stier/Getty Images
Brandon Clarke #15 of the Memphis Grizzlies brings the ball up the court against the New Orleans Pelicans during a semifinal game of the 2019 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 14, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Grizzlies defeated the Pelicans 88-86 in overtime.
Ethan Miller, Getty Images
Summer League co-founder Albert Hall (L) presents Brandon Clarke #15 of the Memphis Grizzlies with the 2019 NBA Las Vegas Summer League MVP trophy before the championship game of the 2019 NBA Summer League between the Grizzlies and the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 15, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Ethan Miller, Getty Images
Brandon Clarke #15 of the Memphis Grizzlies shoots against Canyon Barry #24 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the championship game of the 2019 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 15, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Grizzlies defeated the Timberwolves 95-92.
Ethan Miller, Getty Images
Brandon Clarke of the Memphis Grizzlies poses for a portrait during the 2019 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot on August 11, 2019 at the Ferguson Recreation Center in Madison, New Jersey.
Elsa, Getty Images
Dwight Howard #39 of the Los Angeles Lakers has the ball knocked out of his hands by Brandon Clarke #15 of the Memphis Grizzlies during the first half of the basketball game at Staples Center on October 29, 2019 in Los Angeles, California.
Kevork Djansezian, Getty Images
Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors dribbles the ball against Brandon Clarke #15 of the Memphis Grizzlies during the first quarter in Game Six of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Semifinals at Chase Center on May 13, 2022 in San Francisco, California.
Ezra Shaw, Getty Images
Brandon Clarke #15 of the Memphis Grizzlies drives to the basket against Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the fourth quarter at Crypto.com Arena on January 9, 2022 in Los Angeles.
Katelyn Mulcahy, Getty Images
Brandon Clarke #15 of the Memphis Grizzlies poses for a photo during Memphis Grizzlies Media Day at FedExForum on October 2, 2023 in Memphis, Tennessee.
Justin Ford, Getty Images
Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball against Brandon Clarke #15 of the Memphis Grizzlies during the first half at FedExForum on November 6, 2024 in Memphis, Tennessee.
Justin Ford, Getty Images
Brandon Clarke #15 of the Memphis Grizzlies reacts during the first half against the Golden State Warriors at FedExForum on December 19, 2024 in Memphis, Tennessee.
Justin Ford, Getty Images
Brandon Clarke #15 of the Memphis Grizzlies poses for a photo during media day at FedExForum on Sept. 30, 2024, in Memphis, Tennessee.
Justin Ford/Getty Images
Memphis Grizzlies guard Brandon Clarke (15) drives to the basket while defended by San Antonio Spurs center Charles Bassey (28) during the first half at Frost Bank Center on Jan. 15, 2025 in San Antonio, Texas.
Scott Wachter, Imagn Images
Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke (15) walks to the locker room before a game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on March 19, 2025, in Portland, Oregon.
Troy Wayrynen/Imagn Images
Grizzlies' Brandon Clarke (15) walks onto the court for open practice at the FedExForum on October 4, 2025, in Memphis, Tenn.
Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal
Grizzlies' Brandon Clarke (15) and Grizz talk on the bench during open practice at the FedExForum on Oct. 4, 2025, in Memphis.
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