The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 26, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
HomeSportsBasketballBrandon Clarke
Sports • Basketball

Brandon Clarke

Brandon Clarke was a Canadian-American professional basketball player who played as a power forward for the Memphis Grizzlies of the National Basketball Association (NBA).

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Brandon Clarke was a Canadian-American professional basketball player who played as a power forward for the Memphis Grizzlies of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball at San Jose State and Gonzaga, was selected 21st overall in the 2019 NBA draft, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2020. He was born in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Early life and college career

Clarke was born in Vancouver and played college basketball at San Jose State before transferring to Gonzaga. His college career established him as a high-level shot-blocker and efficient scorer.

Professional career

He entered the 2019 NBA draft and was selected by Oklahoma City with the 21st overall pick before being traded to Memphis. He spent his NBA career with the Grizzlies and became an NBA All-Rookie First Team selection in 2020.

Playing style

Clarke played primarily as a power forward, with official listings showing him at 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) and 215 lb (98 kg). He was known for interior finishing and defensive activity, including rebounding and shot blocking.

Death

Clarke died on May 11, 2026. The cause of death is not listed in available sources.

Key facts

  • Played for the Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA.
  • Transferred from San Jose State to Gonzaga during his college career.
  • Was selected 21st overall in the 2019 NBA draft by the Oklahoma City Thunder and traded to Memphis.
  • Earned NBA All-Rookie First Team honours in 2020.
  • Born in Vancouver, British Columbia.
🍁
Canadian context

Clarke was born in Vancouver, making him a notable Canadian-born NBA player who represented Canada in professional basketball.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Brandon Clarke?
Brandon Clarke was a Canadian-American NBA power forward best known for playing with the Memphis Grizzlies.
What teams did Brandon Clarke play for in college?
He played for San Jose State and later Gonzaga.
When was Brandon Clarke drafted into the NBA?
He was drafted in 2019, 21st overall, by the Oklahoma City Thunder and then traded to Memphis.
Did Brandon Clarke win any NBA honours?
Yes. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2020.
Where was Brandon Clarke born?
He was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

References

  1. NBA.comhttps://www.nba.com/player/1629634/brandon-clarke
    Supports: Birthdate, nationality, height, weight, college, draft position, team, and current/season status context.
  2. ESPNhttps://www.espn.com/nba/player/bio/_/id/3906665/brandon-clarke
    Supports: Position, height/weight, college, draft information, and team affiliation.
  3. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brandon_Clarke
    Supports: College history, draft selection, trade to Memphis, and NBA All-Rookie First Team recognition.
  4. CBS Sportshttps://www.cbssports.com/nba/players/2203220/brandon-clarke/
    Supports: College awards and career summary.