Memphis Grizzlies’ Brandon Clarke dies at 29

BREAKING NEWSMay. 12, 2026, 6:23 PM UTCNBANBAMemphis Grizzlies’ Brandon Clarke dies at 29Clarke was taken by the Grizzlies in the first round of the 2019 NBA draft and spent his entire career with the team. Listen to this article with a free account00:0000:00Brandon Clarke of the Memphis Grizzlies.Nathaniel S. Butler / NBAE via Getty Images fileShareAdd NBC News to GoogleBy Rohan NadkarniMemphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke has died, the team announced in a statement Tuesday.Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.He was 29. The statement did not say how Clarke died.Clarke was drafted by the Grizzlies in the first round of the 2019 NBA draft and spent his entire career with the team. After undergoing knee surgery last fall, he appeared in only two games during the 2025-26 season.“We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of Brandon Clarke,” the Grizzlies said in a statement. “Brandon was an outstanding teammate and an even better person whose impact on the organization and the greater Memphis community will not be forgotten. We express our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones during this difficult time.”This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.ShareAdd NBC News to GoogleRohan NadkarniRohan Nadkarni is a sports reporter for NBC News.