Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke was arrested Wednesday in Arkansas on charges including speeding and trafficking a controlled substance.
Injuries have limited Clarke to only two games this season in a frustrating year, and Memphis have recenty ruled him out for the rest of this season.
‘I’m aware of the report, but don’t have any comments,’ Grizzlies coach Tuomas Iisalo said before Memphis’ game Wednesday night against the New York Knicks.
The Cross County Sheriff’s Department logged Clarke as booked into jail Wednesday afternoon for improper passing, possession of a controlled substance, fleeing and exceeding the speed limit and trafficking a controlled substance.
Cross County, Ark., is approximately 55 miles west of Memphis.
There was no immediate indication over what the substane was that Clarke is alleged to have been found with.
Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke was arrested Wednesday in Arkansas
Clarke, 29, is on a $52million contract and has struggled with injury throughout the season
The department’s website also included a booking photo for Clarke, who is 29 years old. Records show he was booked at just after 1pm on Wednesday.
The 6-foot-7 forward is in his seventh season out of Gonzaga. Clarke has missed 73 games after originally sitting out 26 games due to recovery from surgery on his right knee with the last 46 with a right calf strain.
The Grizzlies announced March 24 that Clarke was continuing his rehabilitation but recent tests showed he needed more healing before being cleared for ‘high-intensity court work.’
The team said Clarke is out for the remainder of this season and expected back for next season.
Clarke signed his four-year, $52million Grizzlies contract in October 2022. The Grizzlies drafted him in the first round of the 2019 Draft, taking him with their 21st pick.
The Grizzlies lost 130-119 to the Knicks on Wednesday at FedEx Forum and are 12th in the Western Conference on a miserable record of 25-51.
