The Los Angeles County medical examiner has determined that Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke died from the effects of heroin and cocaine. The death on May 11 has been ruled an accidental overdose.
Combined effects of multiple prescription medications were listed as a significant contributing condition, though the specific medications were not identified. A full report is expected to come later.
Clarke, 29, was found unresponsive in a bedroom at a residence in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles. Paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene shortly after 5:00 p.m. Narcotics and drug paraphernalia were present, and investigators found no signs of foul play.
The news comes nearly three months after Clarke’s sudden death shocked the NBA. He spent his entire seven-year career with the Grizzlies after being selected in the first round of the 2019 draft out of Gonzaga. Clarke averaged 10.2 points and 5.5 rebounds across 309 games and was valued as a high-energy reserve.
Injuries limited him in recent seasons, including a torn Achilles and issues that restricted him to just two games in 2025-26.
About six weeks before his death, Clarke was arrested in Arkansas on charges that included trafficking a controlled substance after a high-speed traffic stop in which authorities recovered a large quantity of pills he described as kratom.
The Grizzlies previously described Clarke as an outstanding teammate whose impact on the organization and Memphis community would not be forgotten.
