Memphis Grizzlies ahead Brandon Clarke died of an unintended overdose of heroin and cocaine, the L.A. County Medical Examiner dominated in a report launched Friday.
The medical expert additionally listed the “mixed results of a number of prescription medicines” as a big contributing consider his demise. A full post-mortem report might be launched at a later date and can embody the names of these prescriptions, the medical expert’s workplace mentioned.
Clarke, a beloved teammate who spent his total NBA profession with the Memphis Grizzlies, died Might 11 at a residence in Southern California. The 29-year-old was discovered unresponsive in his bed room, in accordance with the coroner’s report.
Following his demise, the Grizzlies mentioned in an announcement that they have been “heartbroken by the tragic loss.” Clarke had struggled with accidents throughout the previous three seasons, however when wholesome he was some of the impactful bench gamers within the NBA.
“Brandon was an excellent teammate and a fair higher particular person whose impression on the group and the larger Memphis group is not going to be forgotten,” the staff wrote.
Clarke performed 309 video games over seven seasons for Memphis, with the staff reaching the playoffs 4 occasions. The Grizzlies mentioned Clarke was anticipated to make a full restoration forward of subsequent season. He had a yr remaining on his four-year contract price $12.5 million yearly.
Clarke was pronounced lifeless after the Los Angeles Hearth Division responded to an emergency name at a residence within the 20300 block of Del Campo Place in Woodland Hills at simply after 5 p.m. Might 11. Paramedics pronounced him lifeless at 5:15 p.m.
His demise got here six weeks after he was charged in Arkansas with felony counts of trafficking of a managed substance and fleeing regulation enforcement at speeds topping 100 mph. Deputies alleged that he had 235 grams of kratom, a controversial plant-based substance that isn’t accredited by the U.S. Meals and Drug Administration, in a duffel bag in his automotive on the time of his arrest April 1.
Whereas kratom is taken into account a felony narcotic in Arkansas, it was authorized in Tennessee, the place Clarke owned a house, on the time of his arrest. The coroner’s report didn’t be aware the presence of kratom.
Clarke was additionally dealing with misdemeanor counts of drug possession for a THC vape pen he was carrying and for making unsafe lane adjustments and dashing. He was scheduled to seem at an arraignment Might 15 on the St. Francis County District Court docket in Forrest Metropolis, Ark. Following his demise, the case was dismissed.
Clarke was born in Vancouver, Canada, and raised in Phoenix. He was a part of a Gonzaga staff with former Los Angeles Lakers ahead Rui Hachimura that was one of many best in class historical past. Clarke is remembered not just for his NCAA Division I-leading 68.7 field-goal share, however for his heat, sort spirit.
He was drafted within the first spherical of the 2019 NBA Draft.
“He was simply really easy to educate,” mentioned Mark Few, Clarke’s coach at Gonzaga. “Each time you’d see him strolling across the facility, he had a smile on his face.”
