LOS ANGELES: Brandon Clarke’s cause of death was an accidental overdose involving heroin and cocaine, the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner said Friday, August 7.
The 29-year-old Memphis Grizzlies forward was found unresponsive in a bedroom at about 5pm on May 11. Paramedics pronounced him dead at 5:15pm, according to the medical examiner’s statement.
A deputy medical examiner conducted an examination the following day. The department certified the cause and manner of death nearly three months later.
The medical examiner also listed the combined effects of several prescription medications as a significant contributing condition, Reuters reported. However, authorities did not identify those medications.
Clarke spent his entire seven-season NBA career with Memphis. He averaged 10.2 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists across 309 regular-season games, according to ESPN’s career statistics.
The Oklahoma City Thunder selected Clarke with the 21st pick in the 2019 NBA Draft before trading him to Memphis. He earned NBA All-Rookie First Team honours during the 2019-20 season.
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Injuries limited Clarke to two appearances during the 2025-26 campaign. He remained under contract with the Grizzlies through the 2026-27 season.
