Brandon Clarke facts for kids
Clarke with the Memphis Grizzlies in 2020
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| No. 15 – Memphis Grizzlies | |
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| Power forward / centre | |
| Personal information | |
| Born | September 19, 1996 Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada |
| Nationality | Canadian / American |
| High school | Desert Vista (Phoenix, Arizona) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) |
| Listed weight | 215 lb (98 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College |
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| NBA Draft | 2019 / Round: 1 / Pick: 21st overall |
| Selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder | |
| Pro career | 2019–present |
| League | NBA |
| Career history | |
| 2019–present | Memphis Grizzlies |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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Brandon Clarke is a professional basketball player who plays for the Memphis Grizzlies in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was born on September 19, 1996, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Brandon is known for his strong defense and exciting plays on the court.
Before joining the NBA, he played college basketball for two different teams: the San José State University Spartans and the Gonzaga Bulldogs. In 2019, he was chosen as the 21st player in the 2019 NBA draft by the Oklahoma City Thunder. Soon after, he was traded to the Grizzlies, where he quickly made a name for himself. He was even named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2020, which means he was one of the best new players in the league!
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Early Life and High School Basketball
Brandon Clarke was born in Canada. When he was three years old, his family moved to Phoenix, Arizona, in the United States. He is now a citizen of both Canada and the U.S.
He went to Desert Vista High School in Phoenix. In 2015, he helped his high school team reach the championship game. Because of his great performance, he was recognized as an All-Arizona Division 1 player.
College Basketball Journey
Brandon started his college basketball career playing for the San Jose State Spartans. He played there for two seasons.
Becoming a Key Player
In his first year, he was named the "Sixth Man of the Year" in the Mountain West Conference. This award goes to a player who usually comes off the bench but makes a big impact. He averaged about 10 points and 7 rebounds per game during conference play.
In his second year, Brandon improved even more. He averaged 17.3 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game. He was named to the All-Mountain West First Team and the Mountain West All-Defensive Team. After this successful season, he decided to transfer to Gonzaga University. He sat out the 2017–18 season, which is called "redshirting," before playing for Gonzaga.
Shining at Gonzaga
In his junior year at Gonzaga (2018–2019), Brandon continued to impress. He won three major awards in the West Coast Conference (WCC): Newcomer of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, and he was named to the All-WCC First Team. He was the first player in WCC history to win both the Newcomer and Defensive Player awards in the same season!
He also earned a spot on the All-American Third Team. In a big game on March 23, 2019, Brandon scored a career-high 36 points. He also had 8 rebounds and 5 blocks, helping Gonzaga win against Baylor. He joined basketball legends Shaquille O'Neal and David Robinson as one of only three players in NCAA Tournament history to have such an amazing game with lots of points and blocks.
Professional NBA Career
Brandon Clarke was picked 21st overall in the 2019 NBA draft. The Oklahoma City Thunder drafted him, but then traded him to the Memphis Grizzlies.
Starting Strong with the Grizzlies
In July 2019, Brandon was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the 2019 NBA Summer League. This is a special tournament where new players get to show off their skills. He was the first player in Summer League history to win both the MVP award and the championship game MVP award! He had an amazing game in the championship, scoring 15 points, grabbing 16 rebounds, and blocking 3 shots.
Brandon made his official NBA debut on October 23, 2019. He quickly became an important player for the Grizzlies. He scored a career-high 27 points twice during his rookie season. In September 2020, he was named to the 2019–20 NBA All-Rookie First Team, showing he was one of the best new players in the league.
Continuing Success and Challenges
The Grizzlies believed in Brandon, and in December 2020, they decided to keep him for another season. He continued to play well, helping the Grizzlies reach the playoffs in 2021 for the first time since 2017. He made his playoff debut in May 2021.
In October 2021, the Grizzlies extended his contract again. In the 2022 playoffs, Brandon had some of his best games. He scored a playoff career-high 21 points and grabbed 15 rebounds in a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. He helped the Grizzlies win that series and move on to the next round!
In October 2022, Brandon signed a new four-year contract with the Grizzlies. Unfortunately, in March 2023, he suffered a serious injury to his left Achilles tendon, which ended his season early. He worked hard to recover.
After his recovery, Brandon returned to play for the Grizzlies. In March 2025, he had another injury, a sprain in his right knee, which meant he missed the rest of that season. Despite these challenges, Brandon has shown great determination and is a valuable player for his team.
Playing for His Country
Brandon Clarke has shared that he hopes to play for the Canadian national basketball team in the future. This would allow him to represent his home country on the international stage.
See also
In Spanish: Brandon Clarke para niños
