Memphis Grizzlies veteran forward Brandon Clarke has died at the age of 29, the team announced in a statement Tuesday afternoon. The cause of death has not been revealed yet.

“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. We express our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones during this difficult time.”

Clarke’s agency, Priority Sports, said in a statement that it is “just impossible to put into words how much he’ll be missed.”

Clarke was the Oklahoma City Thunder’s first-round pick with the No. 21 overall selection in the 2019 NBA Draft, but he was traded to Memphis two weeks later.

In his final season of college at Gonzaga after transferring from San Jose St., Clarke was named the WCC’s Newcomer of the Year, the WCC’s Defensive Player of the Year, a first-team All-WCC selection and a third-team All-American.

Clarke averaged 16.9 points, 8.6 rebounds, 3.1 blocked shots, 1.9 assists and 1.2 steals per game for the Bulldogs, who won 33 games and advance to the Elite Eight of the 2019 NCAA Tournament. He led the nation in field-goal percentage (68.7%).

Clarke was a first-team NBA All-Rookie selection during the 2019-20 campaign when he averaged 12.1 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.4 APG.

The 6-foot-8 Clarke averaged double figures in scoring in each of the first five years of his career. However, injuries limited him to only eight combined games played in the 2023-24 and 2025-26 seasons.

Clarke started 50 times in 309 career games in seven NBA seasons, averaging 10.2 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.3 APG. He had a 60.5 percent career shooting percentage from the field.

“As one of the longest-tenured members of the Grizzlies, Brandon was a beloved teammate and leader who played the game with enormous passion and grit,” the NBA said in a statement. “Our thoughts and sympathies are with Brandon’s family, friends and the Grizzlies organization.”

RIP: Brandon Clarke (1996-2026).