Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke has died aged 29, the franchise confirmed in a public statement released today.
The announcement comes around six weeks after Clarke was arrested in Arkansas on allegations including possession of a controlled substance, improper passing, fleeing, exceeding the speed limit, and trafficking a controlled substance.
Clarke had recently completed his seventh NBA season, all of them with the Grizzlies.
The team said in its statement:
“We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of Brandon Clarke.
“Brandon was an outstanding teammate and an even better person whose impact on the organization and the greater Memphis community will not be forgotten.
Officials have not yet confirmed a cause of death, though NBC4 in Los Angeles reported the death is being examined as a possible overdose.
They reported that “According to authorities, the Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a 911 call of a medical emergency shortly after 5 p.m. on Monday.
“When paramedics arrived, they declared Clarke dead.
“Drug paraphernalia was found in the home, and the incident is being investigated as a possible overdose.”
An autopsy is expected to be carried out to determine the official cause.
On the court, injuries had limited the 6ft 7in forward to just two appearances this season. Memphis had recently ruled him out for the rest of the year after an extended spell on the sidelines.
He missed 73 games in total—initially sitting out 26 while recovering from surgery on his right knee, before missing a further 46 with a right calf strain.
Further updates are expected as more information becomes available.