Brandon Clarke: Memphis Grizzlies forward dies aged 29, NBA team confirms

Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke has died aged 29, his NBA team has confirmed.

Clarke was a first-round NBA draft pick in 2019 but has only played two games this season due to injury.

"We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of Brandon Clarke. Brandon was an outstanding teammate and an even better person whose impact on the organization and the greater Memphis community will not be forgotten," the Grizzlies said in a statement.

"We express our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones during this difficult time."

His agents, Priority Sports, wrote on social media that they were "beyond devastated" by Clarke's death.

"He was so loved by all of us here and everyone whose life he touched," they said.

"He was the gentlest soul who was the first to be there for all of his friends and family."

Clarke was arrested April 1 in Arkansas for speeding and possession of a controlled substance that was reportedly kratom, a herbal supplement promoted as an alternative pain remedy that is legal to possess in Tennessee. He was released on bond a day later.

He was the 21st overall pick out of Gonzaga in the 2019 NBA draft by Oklahoma, which dealt his rights to the Grizzlies, who already took guard Ja Morant at No 2 overall.

Clarke joined Morant on the NBA's All-Rookie team in 2020, and the Grizzlies gave him a multiyear contract extension in October 2022.

He tore his left Achilles tendon March 3, 2023, in a loss to the Denver Nuggets in a showdown of the top two teams in the Western Conference. Injuries limited him to 72 of a possible 246 games over the past three seasons, including only two this season.

Clarke averaged 10.2 points and 5.5 rebounds over his seven seasons with the Grizzlies.