LOS ANGELES, California, USA — Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke died from the effects of heroin and cocaine, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner. The 29-year-old NBA player’s death on May 11 was ruled an accident, with the combined effects of multiple prescription medications also listed as a significant contributing condition.
- Cause of death: The medical examiner determined that the effects of heroin and cocaine caused Clarke’s death.
- Manner of death: Clarke’s May 11 death was ruled an accident.
- Additional factor: Multiple prescription medications were identified as a significant contributing condition, although the medications were not disclosed.
- NBA career: Clarke spent all seven seasons of his NBA career with the Memphis Grizzlies after playing college basketball at Gonzaga.
Medical examiner rules Clarke’s death an accident
The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner reported the findings on Friday, formally determining the cause and manner of Clarke’s death. The medical examiner identified the effects of heroin and cocaine as the cause of death.
The report also identified the combined effects of multiple prescription medications as a significant contributing condition. The specific medications were not disclosed, and the full medical examiner’s report had not yet been released according to the supplied material.
Clarke was found unresponsive in a bedroom at a residence in California’s San Fernando Valley on May 11. Paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene.
Examination conducted the day after death
The medical examiner conducted an examination the following day after Clarke was discovered unresponsive. The cause and manner of death were formally certified on Friday.
The medical examiner’s ruling establishes the manner of death as accidental. The supplied report does not provide further details about the circumstances surrounding the use of the substances identified in the determination.
Clarke spent entire NBA career with Memphis
Clarke spent his entire seven-year NBA career with the Memphis Grizzlies after completing his college career at Gonzaga. He appeared in 309 NBA games, making 50 starts, and averaged 10.2 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.
Clarke finished fourth in the 2019-20 Rookie of the Year voting, establishing himself as an important young player during his first NBA season.
His later seasons were affected by injuries, limiting his availability for Memphis.
Injuries limited Clarke in final seasons
Clarke missed more than a year after suffering a torn Achilles tendon in 2023. His availability remained limited afterward, and he appeared in only two games during the 2025-26 campaign because of knee and calf problems.
The injuries significantly reduced his playing time during the final period of his professional career.
Clarke had been arrested weeks before his death
About six weeks before his death, Clarke was arrested in Arkansas following a traffic stop. The charges included possession and trafficking of a controlled substance, according to the supplied material.
The arrest is separate from the medical examiner’s determination of Clarke’s cause and manner of death. The medical examiner ruled the death accidental.
Grizzlies remember Clarke
Following Clarke’s death, the Memphis Grizzlies paid tribute to the former forward and highlighted his impact both within the organization and in the wider Memphis community.
The team remembered Clarke as an “outstanding teammate and an even better person” and said his influence extended beyond the basketball organization into the Memphis community.
Clarke’s NBA career in numbers
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| NBA team | Memphis Grizzlies |
| NBA career | Seven seasons |
| Games played | 309 |
| Starts | 50 |
| Career scoring average | 10.2 points per game |
| Career rebounding average | 5.5 rebounds per game |
| 2019-20 Rookie of the Year voting | Fourth |
What the medical examiner’s ruling means
The medical examiner’s Friday determination provides the official cause and manner of death currently available in the supplied material. Heroin and cocaine were identified as the substances whose effects caused Clarke’s death, while the combined effects of multiple prescription medications were listed as a significant contributing condition.
The full medical examiner’s report had not been released at the time of the report, leaving the specific prescription medications undisclosed.
Health and medical disclaimer: This article reports findings from the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner as provided in the source material. It is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as medical advice or as a broader statement about substance use, addiction or individual health risks.
Source Attribution
This article is based solely on the source material supplied for publication.
