Brandon Clarke’s Cause of Death Revealed After NBA Star Dies at 29

The cause of death for Brandon Clarke, a Memphis Grizzlies forward, has been revealed on Friday, Aug. 7 after he died at age 29.

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The cause of death for Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke has been revealed

According to the Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner, Clarke died with heroin and cocaine in his system

Clarke’s death was being investigated as a possible overdose, Los Angeles authorities said at the time of his death

A cause of death has been revealed for Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke.

Clarke died of an accidental overdose, the County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner said in a statement on Friday, Aug. 7. A medical examiner determined that the NBA player had “the effects of heroin and cocaine” in his system at the time of his 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 office said. “The manner of death is accident.”

Paramedics found Clarke unresponsive in his bedroom on May 11, the DME said in the statement, and pronounced him dead 15 minutes after their arrival at 5 p.m.

One day later, a medical examiner “conducted an examination of Mr. Clarke” to determine his cause of death. It was not certified until Friday.

Clarke’s agency, Priority Sports, shared the news of his death in a Tuesday, May 12 statement on social media.

“We are all beyond devastated by the passing of Brandon Clarke. He was so loved by all of us here and everyone whose life he touched. He was the gentlest soul who was the first to be there for all of his friends and family,” the statement said.

“Our hearts are so broken as we think about his mom, Whitney, his entire family, and his friends and teammates. From high school to San Jose State to Gonzaga to the Grizzlies, Brandon impacted everyone who was part of his life. 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,” the statement continued.

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“It’s just impossible to put words into how much he’ll be missed. We love you, BC,” the statement said.

The Memphis Grizzlies also paid tribute to Clarke in a Tuesday, May 12 statement on social media.

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

Shortly after news of his death broke, NBC4 in Los Angeles reported that authorities were investigating his death as a possible overdose. The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) had pronounced him dead shortly after 5 p.m. on May 11 after they received a 911 call to a home in the San Fernando Valley, and drug paraphernalia was found at the scene, the station reported.

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In April, Clarke was arrested in Arkansas and faced multiple charges including speeding and drug possession, according to online jail records.

Clarke was the 21st pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, initially selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder before being traded to the Grizzlies weeks later.

Clarke suffered a season-ending injury during a game in December after sustaining a Grade 2 right calf strain in the first quarter of the Grizzlies’ home game against the Washington Wizards.

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