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Brandon Clarke cause of death: What we know about Memphis Grizzlies forward's sudden passing originally appeared on The Sporting News .
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A Los Angeles County coroner revealed Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke's cause of death on Friday.
The 29-year-old was found dead in a Los Angeles home on May 11. A former first-round pick out of Gonzaga, Clarke spent seven years in Memphis, although he was limited to just two games in 2025-26 due to injury.
Here's the latest on the cause of Clarke's passing.
Brandon Clarke cause of death
Clarke died "from the effects of heroin and cocaine," the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner reported on Friday.
The medical examiner ruled Clarke's death an accident, listing the drugs as his official cause of death. The office also identified the combined effects of multiple prescription medications as a "significant condition" related to his death. The coroner did not disclose the specific medications Clarke was taking at the time of his death.
Clarke was found unresponsive in a home in Los Angeles' San Fernando Valley on May 11 and was pronounced dead at the scene. NBC 4 Los Angeles reported that drug paraphernalia was found inside the home. TMZ reports that investigators also found and unknown white powder, Narcan, syringes and a several medications at the scene.
Brandon Clarke tributes
Here's a look at how some NBA luminaries paid tribute to the former Grizzlies big.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver issued the following statement today regarding the passing of Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke. pic.twitter.com/QujShDyGir
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) May 12, 2026 Damn man. RIP B CLARKE
— Bradley Beal (@RealDealBeal23) May 12, 2026 Damn! This Hurts my Heart! Rest In Paradise Brandon Clarke 🙏🏾 https://t.co/lmeje3fwx7
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) May 12, 2026 Man 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 up to Brandon Clarke family. NBA is a brother hood 🙏🏾🙏🏾 damn
— Patrick Beverley (@patbev21) May 12, 2026 This is heartbreaking news. I had the pleasure of getting to know Brandon as classmates at Gonzaga and always had the loveliest interactions with him. My thoughts are with his friends and family. https://t.co/m8enZBZLHR
— Kendra Andrews (@kendra__andrews) May 12, 2026 I’m absolutely saddened to hear this news. Brandon was a gentle giant and an amazing man that I met when he was at SJSU. He credited me for being the first to tell him he could make the NBA. Brandon earned his way to the NBA. My condolences and prayers to his mother and family.🕊️ https://t.co/6HtO68IMe6
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) May 12, 2026 Prayers & condolences going out to Brandon Clarke’s family & loved ones.🙏🏽🙏🏾 https://t.co/2xqoO8disL
— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) May 12, 2026 Sending our condolences to Brandon Clarke's family, friends, and the entire @memgrizz organization. https://t.co/nPqySmMmUA
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) May 12, 2026 man this is tough- RIP https://t.co/KeoLL8Srhn
— Chandler Parsons (@ChandlerParsons) May 12, 2026 Brandon Clarke has passed away at the age of 29. 2019 First-Team All-WCC 2019 WCC Defensive Player of the Year 2019 WCC Newcomer of the Year 2017 First-Team All-Mountain West RIP 🙏 pic.twitter.com/QU8GQu2H8l
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) May 12, 2026 Heartfelt condolences to Brandon Clarke’s family, friends, and the @memgrizz organization. 💜 https://t.co/TUt3Qf0ZDx
— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) May 12, 2026 The Portland Trail Blazers organization sends its deepest condolences to the family, friends, teammates, and the entire Memphis Grizzlies community following the passing of Brandon Clarke. https://t.co/dbFcLOS0Dm
— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) May 12, 2026 kyle anderson on brandon clarke 😥 pic.twitter.com/JUGwDDWPFB
— rocco zikarsky's modern life (@companeromarcus) May 12, 2026 Crazy!!!!! RIP https://t.co/jdJvgTbrdK
— Rudy Gay (@RudyGay) May 12, 2026 Jaylen Wells on Instagram: pic.twitter.com/MtLJM4ZkLs
— Grizzlies SZN (@Grizzlies_szn) May 12, 2026 Our condolences to the Clarke family. We are saddened by the news and his impact at SJSU will never be forgotten. https://t.co/2UMbJUozMz
— San Jose State Men’s Basketball (@SanJoseStateMBB) May 12, 2026 Gone to soon Rest up B.Clarke 🙏🏿🙏🏿
— Zach Randolph (@MacBo50) May 12, 2026 "He was an extended brother." Danny Green and the NBA Today crew took a moment to share a message on Brandon Clarke. pic.twitter.com/odDddyC1WW
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) May 12, 2026 Statement from NBPA Executive Director Andre Iguodala and NBPA President Fred VanVleet on the tragic passing of Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke. pic.twitter.com/RZ3vRoLNdK
— NBPA (@TheNBPA) May 12, 2026 Ja Morant on Brandon Clarke: “this hurt BC 💔 love you broski. gone way too soon … it’s bigger than basketball” 💛🙏 pic.twitter.com/ct92oKyAJw
— Grizzlies SZN (@Grizzlies_szn) May 12, 2026 Donovan Mitchell reacts to the tragic passing of Brandon Clarke on Instagram 💔 pic.twitter.com/gex8HPpqjl
— Cavaliers Nation (@WeAreCavsNation) May 12, 2026 Jaren Jackson Jr. shares a post on Brandon Clarke. He was one of Clarke’s closest friends. pic.twitter.com/R7NjylWuyE
— Damichael Cole (@DamichaelC) May 13, 2026 Dillon Brooks on IG: “Rest in peace my brother…love you. You will always be remembered.” pic.twitter.com/fghl7jae5z
— Matt Infield (@Matt_Infield) May 13, 2026
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