NBA star Brandon Clarke died from heroin, cocaine effects, examiner rules
Al Jazeera · 2026-08-08
NBA player Brandon Clarke, 29, died from the effects of heroin and cocaine, as certified by the medical examiner on Friday after his discovery unresponsive in a San Fernando Valley residence. Clarke's seven-year NBA career was spent with the Memphis Grizzlies, where he averaged 10.2 points and 5.5 rebounds over 309 games and was fourth in Rookie of the Year voting in 2019-20. His final seasons were plagued by injuries, including an Achilles tendon tear in 2023 that sidelined him for over a year, and he played only two games in the 2025-26 season due to knee and calf issues. Approximately six weeks prior to his death, Clarke was arrested in Arkansas on charges related to controlled substance possession and trafficking following a traffic stop. The Grizzlies honored him as an "outstanding teammate and an even better person" whose impact reached the wider Memphis community.
*The full article also explores the specific circumstances surrounding his arrest and the broader implications for athlete welfare.*