The coroner has provided a cause of death for former Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke, who died on May 11 at the age of 29.
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According to the official release from the medical examiner's office, drugs were deemed to be the official cause of death.
"The County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner (DME) determined the cause and manner of death for 29-year-old professional basketball player Brandon Clarke as the effects of heroin and cocaine. The manner of death is accident," the report stated.
A full medical report will be available at a later date.
The 29-year-old was found unresponsive at a home in Los Angeles' San Fernando Valley on May 11. Paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene. They also found narcotics in the home and noted that they did not see evidence of foul play.
The Los Angeles Police Department investigated the death as an accidental overdose and ultimately confirmed this to be the case.
A former first-round pick out of Gonzaga, Clarke spent his entire seven-year NBA career with the Memphis Grizzlies. He played in 309 games while averaging 10.2 points and 5.5 rebounds. He contended for Rookie of the Year in 2019-20 and ultimately finished fourth in the voting.
While Clarke provided big plays early in his career, he also missed extensive time in recent seasons. He only played in six games in 2023-24 due to a torn Achilles and in two last season due to various ailments.
Clarke had been arrested approximately one month before his death while in Arkansas. He was pulled over for speeding. Officers then found a duffel bag with more than 1,000 pills. He was charged with improper passing, possession of a controlled substance, fleeing and exceeding the speed limit, and trafficking a controlled substance.
"This is an incredible loss for the brotherhood," said the National Basketball Players Association after hearing news of Clarke's death in May.
"We will remember Brandon not only for the immense joy he brought to so many throughout his career, but for the genuine friendships he built far beyond basketball."
