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Late NBA player Brandon Clarke died of a drug overdose, authorities announced Friday.
Clarke, then of the Memphis Grizzlies, was found dead on May 11 in his Los Angeles home from what the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner said Friday was an accidental overdose from “the effects of heroin and cocaine.”
Authorities found drug paraphernalia in his home when he died. He was 29 years old.
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Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke (15) reacts in the second half during Game 5 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves Tuesday, April 26, 2022, in Memphis, Tenn. The Grizzlies won 111-109. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)
While Clarke was a first-round pick by the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2019, his rights were traded to the Grizzlies in exchange for the rights to Darius Bazley and a future second-round pick. Clarke quickly made his impact known with the Grizzlies, earning MVP in the 2019 NBA Summer League, where the Vancouver native became the second non-American to ever win the award. Clarke spent the past seven years with the Grizzlies, where he mainly played a role off the bench.
This past season was a rough one for Clarke, though. He played just two games, initially sitting out due to surgery needed on his right knee before a right calf strain he suffered forced him to miss most games this season.
Brandon Clarke of the Memphis Grizzlies reacts during the game against the Golden State Warriors at FedExForum on Dec. 19, 2024 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Justin Ford/Getty Images)
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Memphis announced in March that Clarke was still rehabbing his injury, but recent tests showed he needed more time to heal. As a result, the expectation was he would return next season.
Clarke got into some trouble with the law in April, as he was arrested in Arkansas and booked on charges of improper passing, possession of a controlled substance, fleeing and exceeding the speed limit and trafficking a controlled substance. He was set to be in court on May 15.
Clarke starred for Gonzaga during his college career before his impact on the Grizzlies. He made the 2019-20 All-Rookie team after averaging 12.1 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game in his bench role that season.
Brandon Clarke of the Memphis Grizzlies handles the ball during the game against the LA Clippers at FedExForum on Dec. 23, 2024 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Justin Ford/Getty Images)
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Clarke averaged 20.8 minutes on the floor across 309 career games, while tallying 10.2 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists per contest over his career.
‘ Scott Thompson contributed to this report.
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