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Los Angeles Medical Examiner Rules Death of NBA Player Brandon Clarke an Accidental Overdose
Just the facts
Medical examiners concluded that 29-year-old Memphis Grizzlies player Brandon Clarke died on May 11, 2026, inside a residence near Los Angeles from the combined accidental effects of heroin and cocaine. Clarke spent seven seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies after concluding his college basketball career at Gonzaga University. Prior to his death, law enforcement officers in Arkansas arrested Clarke during a traffic stop where he was recorded driving over 100 miles per hour in a Corvette and charged with possessing controlled substances. At the time of his death, Clarke remained under contract with the Grizzlies through the 2026–27 season despite suffering multiple physical injuries during recent playing seasons.
Why this is news
The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner issued official autopsy findings regarding the death of 29-year-old Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke. Officials determined that Clarke died from an accidental overdose involving heroin and cocaine.
Sources
This summary is compiled strictly from the original reporting below.