On May 11, the Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a 911 call for a medical emergency. As the medical examiners reached the San Fernando Valley residence, they found Grizzlies veteran Brandon Clarke unresponsive in his bedroom and pronounced the 29-year-old dead. With the autopsy complete after nearly three months, authorities have revealed the cause of his untimely passing.

“The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner determined Clarke’s cause of death was the combined effects of h—– and c—— and ruled his death an accident,” reported TMZ in an Exclusive after the report was officially certified Friday.

After the paramedics pronounced Clarke dead at 5:15 PM on May 11, it was already reported that the incident was being investigated as a possible overdose, considering the officials found d— paraphernaila inside the home the Memphis Grizzlies player was staying at.

Though Clarke didn’t speak much, he was the locker room’s glue. Even Ja Morant wrote, “This hurt BC love you broski. Gone way too soon,” on his Instagram story.

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“As one of the longest-tenured members of the Grizzlies, Brandon was a beloved teammate and leader who played the game with enormous passion and grit,” commissioner Adam Silver said. “Our thoughts and sympathies are with Brandon’s family, friends and the Grizzlies organization.”

Brandon Clarke played 309 games over seven seasons for Memphis but was limited to only two games this season after suffering a calf strain in March. He was expected to make a full recovery ahead of next season. He had a year remaining on his four-year contract worth $12.5 million annually.

Six weeks before his death, he had been charged in Arkansas with felonies related to trafficking of a controlled substance and evading law enforcement at speeds above 100 mph.

“Deputies alleged that he had 235 grams of k—–, a controversial plant-based substance that is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, in a duffel bag in his car at the time of his arrest April 1,” The Athletic reported. “While k—- is considered a felony narcotic in Arkansas, it was legal in Tennessee, where Clarke owned a home, at the time of his arrest. The coroner’s report did not note the presence of k—–.”

The investigation on this matter was ongoing when Clarke passed away. However, the team made sure they remembered the veteran who had always helped his teammates.

The Grizzlies created a memorial for Brandon Clarke

The team responded to the loss with an emotional statement in May.

“We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of Brandon Clarke. Brandon was an outstanding teammate and an even better person whose impact on the organization and the greater Memphis community will not be forgotten.”

Zach Edey shared a picture of a locker room memorial on his Instagram stories a few weeks ago. The memorial’s inscription, “Brandon Clarke 1996-2026, Forever in our hearts,” was placed against a black backdrop that matched the hue of the space.

The tribute, which is placed next to the images of Jaylen Wells and Ja Morant, is a permanent remembrance of Brandon Clarke’s role in the history of the franchise. As it turns out, though, Clarke was also going through a legal problem.