The clip lasts barely 20 seconds, and it appeared over the weekend on the Instagram page of a California barber.
The footage itself is rather unremarkable: a cat is filmed lounging on the floor, Brandon Clarke is seen speaking on the phone and holding a bottle of water, then comes a before-and-after look at his fresh trim. ‘Love brotha!’ the Memphis Grizzlies star replied under the video.
By Tuesday evening, however, the comments section had become a stream of sadness. There were hands cupped in prayer, crying eyes and the same three letters: RIP.
Because, earlier this week, the NBA was rocked by the news that Clarke had died at 29. Soon, it became clear that this video was perhaps the final bit of public footage of him alive.
No official cause of death has been announced, but reports suggest Clarke’s death is being investigated as a possible overdose after drug paraphernalia was found at the scene.
Still, so many questions remain. There was nothing in that short clip to suggest tragedy lay around the corner – nothing obvious in the Vancouver native’s demeanor either.
Tributes have poured in after Memphis Grizzlies star Brandon Clarke died at the age of 29
In one of his final social media interactions, the Grizzlies star commented on a video shared by his barber over the weekend, which showed Clarke getting his hair and beard tidied up
The NBA offseason had already begun for the Grizzlies, and a few weeks ago, Clarke appeared to be jet skiing off the Turks and Caicos Islands alongside Jaren Jackson Jr of the Utah Jazz.
By the weekend, he was in California. TMZ reported that the NBA star died near Los Angeles, where he had been staying with a friend from college. Clarke’s barber said the 29-year-old seemed happy enough during his appointment. They even watched the NBA playoffs together.
Now the basketball world is in mourning, with many asking the same question: What happened to the player who, just seven years ago, was drafted with the 21st overall pick; who last year launched a foundation aimed at helping Memphis residents in need; who, only months ago, released the latest album of a burgeoning music career; who was arrested last month for allegedly possessing half a pound of drugs after leading cops on a 100mph chase?
We may never have the full picture. We may never be able to connect all the dots. We may never know why such a promising basketball talent was lost four months before his 30th birthday.
After a college career that included pitstops at San Jose State and Gonzaga, Clarke was selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2019 draft before being traded to the Grizzlies. He seemed destined for a long, lucrative career in the NBA.
In 2020, he was named to the NBA’s All-Rookie First Team. The forward went on to play in 309 games for the Grizzlies, helping Memphis reach the postseason four times.
Eventually, Clarke’s body began to betray him. He battled issues with his back, hip, oblique, thumb, thigh, calf, knee, eye, Achilles tendon, hand, toe and lip. Over the past three seasons, injuries limited him to just 72 of a possible 246 games.
Back in October 2022, Clarke agreed to a four-year, $52 million contract extension in Memphis, only to suffer a season-ending Achilles tear just months later.
Clarke poses for a picture with his mother, Whitney Triplett, his step father and his half siblings in a parking garage
Clarke reportedly died near Los Angeles, where he had been staying with a friend from college
Clarke was recently arrested in Arkansas
The following year – the 2023/2024 season – he was limited to just six games, and his ’24/’25 campaign was curtailed, too. This time by knee issues. After another knee problem that required surgery, Clarke returned to the court in December. ‘Everything is going to come together nicely,’ he told media after his first game back.
But he played just four more minutes of the ’25/’26 season before before a calf injury derailed his career once more.
The sad truth is that Clarke was set to appear in court before he made it back to basketball. According to reports, he was due for a plea hearing and arraignment at 9am on May 15.
Clarke was arrested in Arkansas six weeks ago following an alleged high-speed chase with police. Officers then claim to have found a duffel bag containing 235.6g of Kratom – a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia.
According to the FDA, Kratom is ‘often used to self-treat conditions such as pain, coughing, diarrhea, anxiety and depression, opioid use disorder and opioid withdrawal.’ It can act as both a stimulant and a sedative.
Police had pulled over Clarke’s Corvette after he allegedly passed a number of cars at over 100mph, according the California Post.
When the Kratom was discovered, it’s said Clarke told cops: ‘That stuff is legal.’ But Kratom – listed as a ‘drug and chemical of concern’ by the DEA – is banned in Arkansas.
He is also alleged to have had a THC vape on him.
The NBA star was detained and charged with two felony counts – trafficking of a controlled substance and fleeing law enforcement at high speeds – as well as misdemeanor counts of drug possession and traffic violations. The following day, Clarke was released on a $25,000 bond.
The arrest took place around 50 miles west of Memphis, where Clarke made a positive difference.
‘He was Memphis’s own, for sure,’ ex-teammate Kyle Anderson told The Athletic. ‘He did his part in the community.’
Clarke and his mother, Whitney, in a childhood photo
Clarke and a woman attend his sister’s 2024 wedding in Mexico City, Mexico
Last year, the Grizzlies star created the Brandon Clarke Foundation. According to reports, he served as chair of the organization, which aimed ‘to help families affected by tragedies, mothers and others in Memphis.’
Clarke is said to have worked with a boys and girls club that provides after-school care for children, while his foundation has donated to ARise2Read, a Memphis-based organization which fights to bring kids out of poverty and improve their reading skills.
The Grizzlies star also channeled his energy through music. Clarke had an alter-ego, BCVS, and he released a number of songs over recent years.
‘[It] has been rewarding to see myself get better at this art form,’ he wrote in a caption alongside one Instagram post. ‘I’m loving recording, [it’s] been therapeutic.’
BCVS’ page claimed he had ‘multiple albums’ on the way. Three are already on Spotify. The most recent, entitled ‘all white gold,’ was released in July 2025.
‘Appreciate the love y’all been giving me,’ Clarke wrote at the time. Less than a year later, his death has sparked another outpouring.
‘We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of Brandon Clarke,’ the Grizzlies said in a statement.
‘Brandon was an outstanding teammate and an even better person whose impact on the organization and the greater Memphis community will not be forgotten. We express our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones during this difficult time.’
