Former Gonzaga Bulldogs Forward Brandon Clarke Passes Away at 29

Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke (15) shoots as Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) defends during the fourth quarter at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Former Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Brandon Clarke passed away, his current team, the Memphis Grizzlies, announced on Tuesday.

His death is being investigated as a possible drug overdose, the LAPD confirmed to ABC News. Clarke was found at a San Fernando Valley home in Los Angeles on Monday, where narcotics were found at the scene, and there was no evidence of foul play. He was 29 years old.

“Brandon was an outstanding teammate and an even better person whose impact on the organization and the greater Memphis community will not be forgotten,” the team wrote.

Gonzaga head coach Mark Few issued words as well: “He had such a kind, gentle, and warm soul, and I will remember the great smile he had on his face whenever you were around him. BC was one of the most easygoing players we have ever had, and he was part of one of the greatest teams in our program’s history.”

“Brandon was a spectacular player and competitor, and a phenomenal teammate to all. He was a true legend who will never be forgotten here at Gonzaga.”

His agency, Priority Sports, also released a statement: “Everyone loved BC because he was always there as the most supportive friend you could ever imagine. He was so unique in the joy he brought to all of those in his life. It’s just impossible to put into words how much he’ll be missed.”

Clarke spent two seasons in Spokane after starting his college career at San Jose State. In his freshman year with the Spartans, Clarke won West Mountain Sixth Man of the Year after averaging 10.1 and 7.3 rebounds per contest during conference play. His numbers ticked up to 17.1 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks during his sophomore campaign, earning selections to the All-MWC First-Team and All-Defensive Team.

After transferring to the Zags, Clarke redshirted for a year. When he returned to action for his junior season, Clarke burst back onto the scene. He became the first WCC player to win Newcomer and Defensive Player of the Year in the same season, and Clarke was a WCC All-First team member as well. Also named a third-team All-American by the Sporting News, Clarke boosted his draft stock after averaging 16.9 points and 8.6 rebounds on 68.7% shooting with the Bulldogs. Leading the nation with 117 blocks, Clark logged as many rejections as missed field goals.

He posted a dominant NCAA tournament performance against Baylor, dropping a career-high 36 points, eight rebounds, and five blocks in an 83-71 win over the Bears. Clarke joined Shaquille O’Neal and David Robinson as the only players to tally 35+ points and five or more blocks during March Madness. He also surpassed Adam Morrison’s program record of most points in a tournament game (24), standing alone before Drew Timme matched his total in 2023 against UCLA. In the Round of 32 matchup, Clarke was unstoppable down low, flushing five dunks, finishing 15-of-18 from the floor, and drawing nine fouls.

Clarke was selected in the first round at 21st overall in the 2019 NBA Draft by the Oklahoma City Thunder. A few weeks later, the Grizzlies traded for Clarke’s draft rights in exchange for Darius Bazley and a future second-round pick. He was named the 2019 Summer League MVP after notching four double-doubles in six contests. During the championship game, Clarke totaled 15 points, 16 rebounds, four assists, and three blocks, as the Vancouver native became the first non-American to win championship MVP and the first ever to win both the final game and league MVP honors.

Clarke played in just two games for the Grizzlies this past season after suffering knee synovitis in offseason training, and he also dealt with a right calf strain. The 6-8 forward had spent all seven seasons of his NBA career in Memphis, primarily coming off the bench as he contributed to four playoff runs by the team during that stretch. In his rookie campaign, Clarke was named to the All-Rookie Team and finished fourth in Rookie of the Year voting after averaging 12.1 points and 5.9 rebounds on 61.8% shooting from the floor. He also knocked down 35.4% of his attempts from three-point range.

Two seasons later, Clarke finished 11th in Sixth Man of the Year balloting after scoring 10.4 points a contest while grabbing 5.3 boards while shooting 64.4% from the field. In 309 regular-season games, 50 of them being starts, he averaged 10.2 points and 5.5 rebounds. And over the course of 14 playoff games, he totaled 10.7 points and 6.0 rebounds a game. When healthy, Clarke was a consistent contributor for the Grizzlies, which is why the franchise inked him to a four-year, $52 million contract extension in October 2022.

But he suffered a season-ending torn Achilles tendon the following March, which limited him to appearing in just six games played over the next two seasons. Clarke would then tie a career-best in games played (64) during the 2024-25 campaign.

On April 1, Clarke was arrested in Cross County, Arkansas, on charges of improper passing, possession of a controlled substance, fleeing and exceeding the speed limit, and trafficking a controlled substance.

When Clarke was three years old, he and his family relocated from Canada to Phoenix, Arizona. He is survived by his mother and sister, Whitney and Taylor Tripplet, and his father, Steve Clarke.