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Sport star's tragic cause of death revealed aged just 29 after being found in bedroom

Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke, 29, was found unresponsive at his Southern California home on May 11 and later died in an accidental overdose caused by heroin and cocaine

[Brandon Clarke ]

Brandon Clarke (Image: NBAE via Getty Images)

An NBA star tragically died after a lethal cocktail of drugs including heroin, a medical examiner has ruled. Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke was found unresponsive in his bedroom at a home in Southern California, USA on May 11 and was later pronounced dead.

Paramedics were called to a property in the San Fernando Valley at around 5pm. Anonymous sources later claimed drug paraphernalia was found near his body.

The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner has now said the 29-year-olds death was caused by the effects of heroin and cocaine and was an accident. Officials also listed the combined effects of multiple prescription medications as a significant condition linked to his death, though the specific drugs were not named.

[Brandon Clarke in 2025]

Brandon Clarke in 2025(Image: NBAE via Getty Images)

In a brief statement released on Friday (August 7), the office added: The Medical Examiner report will be available at a future date. The medical examiner confirmed the accidental overdose was caused by the combined effects of heroin and cocaine, the Los Angeles Times reported.

The autopsy findings also pointed to prescription medications as a contributing factor, raising fresh questions about what else was in his system in his final hours. Clarkes death came after a period blighted by serious injuries that disrupted his final years in the NBA.

He missed more than a year after tearing his Achilles tendon in 2023. He then required two separate surgeries on his right knee in 2025, and managed just two appearances in the 202526 season after suffering a severe calf strain, Hoops Rumors reported.

[Memorial to Grizzlies player Brandon Clarke outside of FedExForum on May 13, 2026]

Memorial to Grizzlies player Brandon Clarke outside of FedExForum on May 13, 2026(Image: Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal/USA TODAY Network / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Six weeks before his death, Clarke was also arrested in Arkansas following a high-speed police chase that allegedly topped 100mph. Police said they found a duffel bag containing 235 grams - around 1,200 pills - of kratom.

Clarke reportedly told officers the pills were just kratom. Kratom is a plant-based extract sometimes used to self-treat chronic pain, depression or opioid withdrawal.

While legal in Tennessee, where Clarke lived, it is classed as a felony controlled substance in Arkansas. The medical examiner did not say whether kratom was present in his system at the time of death.

Clarke was drafted 21st overall in 2019 out of Gonzaga University and spent his entire seven-year career with the Grizzlies.

He averaged 10.2 points and 5.5 rebounds a game, becoming a key high-energy bench player admired by teammates and coaches for his consistently positive attitude.

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