Neither the Grizzlies nor Clark’s agent, Priority Sports, immediately released details about his death.
Published May 12, 2026
Brandon Clark, an American National Basketball Association (NBA) player, has passed away at the age of 29, his team, the Memphis Grizzlies, announced.
The cause of death was not immediately announced. He was pronounced dead at his home in California’s San Fernando Valley after paramedics responded to a call for help, local media reported.
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The Grizzlies said in a statement Tuesday that they are “heartbroken by the tragic loss of Brandon Clark.”
“Brandon was an outstanding teammate and a man whose impact on our organization and the greater Memphis community will be remembered.”
A native of Vancouver, Canada, Clark was selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder with the 21st overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, and his rights were traded to Memphis on draft night.
He spent his entire NBA career with the Grizzlies and was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2020 after averaging 12.1 points and 5.9 rebounds in his debut season.
Injuries including knee, calf and Achilles tendon issues have limited his playing time in recent years. Clark appeared in just two games during the 2025-26 season.
“I am shocked to learn of the passing of Brandon Clark,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement.
“One of the longest-tenured members of the Grizzlies, Brandon was a beloved teammate and leader who played the game with great passion and grit. Our thoughts are with Brandon’s family, friends, and the Grizzlies organization.”
Priority Sports, the agency representing Mr Clark, said in a statement that its members were “devastated” by his death.
“He was much loved by all of us here and everyone whose lives he touched,” Priority Sports added. “He was the kindest soul who was the first to be there for all his friends and family.”
Clark’s death occurred shortly after he was arrested in Arkansas on April 1 on charges of speeding and possession of a controlled substance. The drug was reportedly identified as kratom, an herbal supplement that is legal in Tennessee. He was released on bail the next day.
He signed a multi-year contract extension with the Grizzlies in October 2022 after earning NBA All-Rookie honors with teammate Jay Morant in 2020.
Clark suffered a torn left Achilles tendon in a loss to the Denver Nuggets in March 2023, and has missed 72 of his available 246 games over the past three seasons due to injury.
He averaged 10.2 points and 5.5 rebounds in seven seasons with the Grizzlies.
