More details have emerged about the death of Brandon Clarke, the former Memphis Grizzlies player.
According to the Los Angeles County coroner’s office, Clarke died from an overdose of heroin and cocaine.
Additionally, analyses also showed the ingestion of several prescription medications as another “significant condition” related to his death.
It should be noted that Clarke, 29, was found dead on May 11 in a residence in the San Fernando Valley, a part of Los Angeles.
The news shocked the basketball world in general, and more specifically the city of Memphis where he had developed as a player and had made a significant impact on the community.
A Gonzaga University alum and a first-round pick in the 2019 Draft, he spent his entire NBA career wearing the Grizzlies jersey.
He appeared in 309 games with averages of 10.2 points and 5.5 rebounds in 20.8 minutes per game.
Injuries barely allowed him to play during the last two seasons. He spent a full year out due to a torn Achilles tendon, and in the 2025-26 season he played only two games due to knee and calf issues.
“Brandon was an exceptional teammate and an even better person whose impact on the franchise and on the Memphis community will be unforgettable,” said a statement from the Memphis Grizzlies.
While dealing with his physical and psychological problems, in April he was arrested in Arkansas and charged with “possession and trafficking” of drugs.
He was pulled over for speeding and, during the police stop, as many as 1,200 pills of a substance called “kratom” were found on him.
Kratom is prohibited in some states in the United States, not in Arkansas. It is sometimes used to treat various conditions, such as cough, diarrhea, anxiety, depression, or opioid use disorder.
