When the news broke that Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke, 29, had passed away, NBA fans were left shellshocked. Naturally, speculation began to run rampant, as fans looked for a reason why an elite athlete would pass away at such a young age.
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Now, some recently released bodycam footage is helping piece together some of the puzzle. The video shows Clarke's arrest in Arkansas back in April, 2026. He was arrested on speeding and drug possession charges. The incident occurred just six weeks before Clarke was found dead.
According to police, Clarke was in possession of 'kratom,' a leaf-derived substance used for pain management and an energy boost. 'Kratom' is also known, in some circles, as "gas station heroin."
"While Clarke's official cause of death is still under investigation, the footage has renewed national scrutiny over the safety of kratom, a substance the FDA has repeatedly warned the public about," The New York Post reports. "He was found dead on May 11 in Los Angeles."
Still, it's worth noting that Clarke's cause of death has not been made public. The footage simply provides further information surrounding the final weeks of his life. It does not, in any way, pinpoint a potential reason for his death.
Brandon Clarke Was a Seven-Year NBA Veteran
Clarke entered the NBA as the 21st pick in the 2019 draft. He was originally selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder, but his rights were sent to the Memphis Grizzlies. Clarke spent his entire career in Memphis.
As a rookie, the forward suited up for 58 games, starting four of them. He averaged 12.1 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.4 assists, finishing fourth in the Rookie of the Year race. Two seasons later, with Clarke firmly established within head coach Taylor Jenkins' rotation, Clarke finished just outside the top-10 in Sixth Man of the Year voting.
During that third season, he put up numbers of 10.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists.
Unfortunately for Clarke, he tore his Achilles in the 2023-24 season, shortly after inking a four-year $52 million extension. He also missed the majority of the 2025-26 season due to a PCL injury in his right knee followed by a calf strain.
Clarke will certainly be missed by NBA fans and players alike.
