Heartbreaking report from ESPN’s Shams Charania as Gonzaga Bulldogs alum and Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke tragically passed away in Los Angeles, California, on Monday, May 11.
Per TMZ Sports, his death is being investigated as a possible drug overdose. The Los Angeles County Fire Department in the San Fernando Valley responded around 5 p.m. PT, and he was then declared deceased. Officials found drug paraphernalia at the scene.
Back on April 1, Clarke was arrested in Cross County, Arkansas. He was charged with trafficking a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, fleeing officers in a vehicle over the speed limit, and improper passing. The alleged high-speed chase exceeded 100 miles per hour, and Clarke was found with more than 200 grams of kratom.
Originally from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, the 6-8 talent started his collegiate career with the San Jose State Spartans for two seasons from 2015-17 before transferring to Gonzaga. The Memphis organization selected him with the No. 21 pick in the first round of the 2019 NBA Draft, and he spent his whole NBA career with the Grizzlies.
His lone season in the Pacific Northwest during the 2018-19 campaign was filled with memorable moments, from the absurd block against the Tennessee Volunteers’ Yves Pons in Phoenix, Arizona, the chase for the Maui Invitational title, the high-flying throwdowns at the Santa Clara Broncos and San Francisco Dons on the Bay Area road trip, the Elite Eight run, and so many others. An eye-popping fact when reflecting on Clarke’s time with the Zags was that he had as many blocks as he had missed field goals at 117 each.
Clarke still holds Gonzaga program records for the highest field goal percentage in a season (68.7 percent) and the most offensive rebounds in a season (114 total). The Second Team All-American’s defensive presence and strong finishing ability above the rim could be felt throughout the entire arenas he stepped into.
On a personal note, I lived in the same building and floor as him for the 2018-19 school year. Down-to-earth human being when chatting in the hallways, and a hell of a basketball player.
The ‘pogo stick’ was taken from this world much too soon. Prayers go out to his mother, Whitney Triplett, his stepfather, Bryan Triplett, and his birth father, Steve Clarke.
Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga University graduate from the Bay Area… Follow him on X @a_cravalho
