Los Angeles medical examiner finds Brandon Clarke's death caused by heroin and cocaine

The County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner has revealed that Brandon Clarke's death was caused by the "effects of heroin and cocaine" after the 29-year-old was found unresponsive in a bedroom at a house in San Fernando Valley on 11 May, 2026; paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene.

Clarke, a Canada-born forward who was named to the NBA's All-Rookie First Team in 2020, played in the NBA after being taken in the first round of the 2019 draft. He played college basketball at San Jose State and then Gonzaga, was drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder and traded to the Memphis Grizzlies soon after, and held dual citizenship of Canada and the USA.

The medical examiner ruled the death accidental and listed the "combined effects of multiple prescription medications" as a "significant" contributor, while noting it did not state what the medications were.

Clarke's NBA career included 309 games, 50 starts and an average of 10.2 points per game; he appeared in only two games in the 2025-26 season because of injuries. A month prior to his death, Clarke was arrested in Arkansas on charges that included speeding and possession of a controlled substance.

The Grizzlies issued a statement at the time of his death saying they were "heartbroken" by the loss and that he was an "outstanding team-mate and an even better person whose impact on the organisation and the greater Memphis community will not be forgotten".

The medical examiner added that its full report would be available at a later date.