Brandon Clarke facts for kids
Clarke with the Memphis Grizzlies in 2020
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| Personal information | |
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| Born | September 19, 1996 Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada |
| Nationality | Canadian American |
| Died | May 11, 2026 (aged 29) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| 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 | 2019–2026 |
| Career history | |
| 2019–2026 | Memphis Grizzlies |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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Brandon Clarke (born September 19, 1996 – died May 11, 2026) was a talented Canadian and American professional basketball player. He played as a power forward for the Memphis Grizzlies in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Before joining the NBA, he played college basketball for both the San Jose State Spartans and the Gonzaga Bulldogs. In the 2019 NBA draft, the Oklahoma City Thunder chose him as the 21st overall pick. He was then traded to the Grizzlies. In 2020, he earned a spot on the NBA All-Rookie First Team, recognizing him as one of the best new players in the league.
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Early Life and High School Basketball
Brandon Clarke was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, on September 19, 1996. His mother was Canadian, and his father was Jamaican. When he was three years old, his family moved to Phoenix, Arizona, in the U.S. He later became a citizen of both Canada and the U.S.
Brandon went to Desert Vista High School in Phoenix. He was a star player there. In 2015, he helped lead his team to the championship game. Because of his excellent performance, he was recognized as an All-Arizona Division 1 player by the Arizona Republic.
College Basketball Journey
Brandon started his college basketball career at San Jose State University. He played for the Spartans for two seasons.
San Jose State Spartans (2015–2017)
As a first-year player (a freshman), he was named the Mountain West Conference Sixth Man of the Year. This award goes to a key player who usually comes off the bench. He averaged 10.1 points and 7.3 rebounds in conference games. In his second year (sophomore season), he improved greatly. He averaged 17.3 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.6 blocks, and 2.3 assists. He was recognized as a First Team All-Mountain West player and made the Mountain West All-Defensive Team.
Gonzaga Bulldogs (2018–2019)
After two seasons, Brandon transferred to Gonzaga University to play for the Bulldogs. He took a "redshirt" year in 2017–18. This meant he practiced with the team but didn't play in games. This allowed him to develop his skills and play for three more years.
In his junior year (2018–19), Brandon continued to shine. He won three major awards in the West Coast Conference (WCC): Newcomer of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, and a spot on the All-WCC First Team. He was the first player ever in the WCC to win both Newcomer and Defensive Player of the Year in the same season! He was also named a third-team All-American by The Sporting News.
During the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, on March 23, 2019, Brandon had an amazing game. He scored a career-high 36 points, along with eight rebounds, five blocks, and three assists. This helped his team win 83–71 against the No. 9 seeded Baylor. He joined basketball legends Shaquille O'Neal and David Robinson as one of only three players in NCAA tournament history to have at least 35 points and five blocks in a single game. He also set a new team record for points scored in an NCAA tournament game.
Professional Basketball Career
Brandon Clarke began his professional journey in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Joining the Memphis Grizzlies (2019–2026)
In the 2019 NBA draft, the Oklahoma City Thunder chose Brandon as the 21st overall pick. Soon after, on July 7, 2019, the Memphis Grizzlies acquired his rights. This meant he would play for the Grizzlies.
Brandon quickly made a name for himself. He was named the most valuable player (MVP) of the 2019 NBA Summer League. He was the first player in Summer League history to win both the league MVP and the championship game MVP. He helped lead Memphis to the league championship.
He made his NBA debut on October 23, 2019. He scored eight points and grabbed seven rebounds in his first game. Throughout his rookie season, he showed great potential. He scored a career-high 27 points twice. He also participated in the 2020 Rising Stars Challenge, a game for top young NBA players.
Despite a right quadriceps injury that sidelined him for a time, Brandon's strong performance earned him a spot on the NBA All-Rookie First Team for the 2019–20 season. This honor recognized him as one of the best first-year players in the league.
Continuing with the Grizzlies
The Grizzlies showed their confidence in Brandon by extending his contract for future seasons. In January 2021, he scored a season-high 21 points against the Brooklyn Nets. He was also selected for the 2021 Rising Stars Challenge again, but the game was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Brandon helped the Grizzlies reach the playoffs in 2021, their first time since 2017. He made his playoff debut on May 29, 2021. The Grizzlies were eventually eliminated by the Utah Jazz.
In the 2021–22 season, Brandon continued to be a key player. He scored a season-high 22 points in January 2022. The Grizzlies returned to the playoffs, facing the Minnesota Timberwolves. Brandon had an outstanding performance in Game 5, scoring 21 points and grabbing 15 rebounds. He helped the Grizzlies win that series. They then faced the Golden State Warriors in the second round, where their playoff run ended.
In October 2022, Brandon signed a new four-year contract with the Grizzlies. Unfortunately, he faced some challenges with injuries. In March 2023, he suffered a left leg injury, which ended his 2022–23 season. He also dealt with a right knee injury in March 2025 and another knee issue in September 2025. Despite these setbacks, he continued to contribute to the team when healthy.
Later Life
Brandon Clarke passed away on May 11, 2026, in Los Angeles, California. He was 29 years old.
See also
In Spanish: Brandon Clarke para niños
