The NBA forward spent his entire 7-year career with Memphis after being drafted in 2019
. The Memphis Grizzlies forward died at the age of 29, with the announcement made Tuesday by both the team and his agency, Priority Sports. No cause of death has been disclosed.
Clarke was selected in the first round of the 2019 NBA Draft with the 21st overall pick. Originally chosen by the Oklahoma City Thunder, he was immediately traded to Memphis, where he would go on to spend his entire NBA career.
A career defined by promise and perseverance
Clarke showed immediate promise in his first season, averaging 12.1 points and 5.9 rebounds per game and finishing fourth in Rookie of the Year voting. He was named to the NBA’s All-Rookie team and quickly became a fan favorite in Memphis.
Over seven seasons with the Grizzlies, Clarke averaged 10.2 points per game across 309 appearances, finishing fourth in Rookie of the Year voting in 2020. As a key piece of the Grizzlies’ early-2020s playoff teams, he also received votes for Sixth Man of the Year in 2022, averaging more than 10 points and 5 rebounds off the bench.
The team’s confidence in his development was evident when it signed him to a four-year, $52 million contract extension in 2022.
Injuries took a heavy toll in his final seasons
Despite that contract, Clarke’s career was increasingly defined by health setbacks. He played in just six games during the 2023-24 season due to a torn Achilles and was limited to just two games in the 2025-26 season because of calf and knee problems.
In September 2025, Clarke was told he would require an arthroscopic procedure to address knee synovitis that developed during offseason training. Despite the mounting physical challenges, those close to him described him as someone who never lost his warmth or dedication to the people around him.
A beloved teammate and community figure
Away from the court, Clarke was known for his generosity. In September 2025, he marked his 29th birthday by visiting Kipp Collegiate Elementary School, surprising a second-grade classroom with a $1,500 donation to support literacy awareness, books, and resources, later adding another $2,000 for a total of $3,500 to ARise2Read.
The Grizzlies described Clarke as far more than an athlete in their tribute, calling him an outstanding teammate whose impact on the organization and the Memphis community would not be forgotten, and expressing deep condolences to his family. His agency, Priority Sports, echoed that sentiment, remembering him as a uniquely supportive friend who brought genuine joy to every person in his life, from his high school days through his years in Gonzaga and Memphis.
Clarke was born in Vancouver and played college basketball at San Jose State before transferring to Gonzaga in 2017, where he helped lead the team to a deep NCAA Tournament run before being eliminated in the Elite Eight. Wikipedia
He is survived by his mother, Whitney, and his family. This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Source: NBC News, ESPN, TMZ Sports, Yahoo Sports