Brandon Clarke Bio
Brandon Clarke (born September 19, 1996) is a Canadian-American professional basketball player for the Memphis Grizzlies of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the San Jose State Spartans and the Gonzaga Bulldogs. He was drafted 21st overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2019 NBA draft and then immediately traded to the Grizzlies. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2020. Clarke has established himself as a versatile two-way forward known for his defensive instincts and efficient scoring throughout his professional career.
Early Life and Background
Brandon Clarke was born on September 19, 1996, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. His mother, Whitney Triplett, is Canadian, and his father, Steve Clarke, is Jamaican. At age three, Clarke moved with his family to Phoenix, Arizona, where he grew up and eventually became a dual citizen of Canada and the United States.
Clarke attended Desert Vista High School in Phoenix. He was named an All-Arizona Division 1 honoree by the Arizona Republic after leading Desert Vista to the championship game in 2015. His high school career demonstrated the defensive prowess and two-way capability that would come to define his playing style at the collegiate and professional levels.
Path to Professional Basketball
Clarke attended San Jose State University and played two seasons of college basketball for the Spartans. As a freshman, he was named Mountain West Conference Sixth Man of the Year after averaging 10.1 points and 7.3 rebounds in conference play. As a sophomore, he elevated his game significantly, averaging 17.3 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.6 blocks, and 2.3 assists on his way to being named an All-Mountain West First Team honoree and a Mountain West All-Defensive Team selection.
After the season, Clarke transferred to Gonzaga University to play for the Bulldogs. He redshirted the 2017-18 season before making an immediate impact in his junior year. Clarke was named the West Coast Conference’s (WCC) Newcomer of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, and was selected to the All-WCC First Team. He became the first player in WCC history to win both their Newcomer of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year honors in the same season. He was also named a third-team All-American by The Sporting News.
On March 23, 2019, Clarke recorded a career-high 36 points alongside eight rebounds, five blocks, and three assists in an 83-71 win over No. 9 seeded Baylor during the NCAA tournament. He became the third player in NCAA tournament history to record a game with at least 35 points and five blocks, joining Shaquille O’Neal and David Robinson. Clarke also broke a team record in points scored in an NCAA tournament game, surpassing a record previously set by Adam Morrison.
Brandon Clarke Career
Memphis Grizzlies (2019-Present)
Clarke was selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the 2019 NBA draft with the 21st overall pick. On July 7, 2019, the Memphis Grizzlies officially acquired the rights to Clarke from the Thunder for the draft rights to Darius Bazley and a future second-round draft pick. With four double-doubles, he was named the most valuable player (MVP) of the 2019 NBA Summer League, becoming the second non-American to win the award. He recorded 15 points, 16 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 blocks in the championship game to lead Memphis to the league championship, earning game MVP honors as well. He became the first non-American to win both honors and the first player in Summer League history to achieve this dual MVP distinction.
On October 23, 2019, Clarke made his NBA debut, coming off the bench in a loss to the Miami Heat with eight points, seven rebounds, an assist, and a block. On December 18, he scored a career-high 27 points alongside seven rebounds in a loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Clarke again scored 27 points alongside six rebounds and two steals in a win over the Portland Trail Blazers. He participated in the 2020 Rising Stars Challenge, where he recorded 22 points and eight rebounds. On September 15, Clarke was named to the 2019-20 NBA All-Rookie First Team.
Continued Growth and Development (2020-2022)
On December 16, 2020, the Grizzlies exercised their team option on Clarke for the 2021-22 season. On January 8, 2021, he scored a season-high 21 points alongside eight rebounds, five assists, and two blocks in a win over the Brooklyn Nets. The Grizzlies qualified for the postseason for the first time since 2017 after a series of play-in tournament wins. On May 29, during the Grizzlies’ first-round series against the Utah Jazz, Clarke made his playoff debut, playing seven minutes and grabbing one rebound in a Game 3 loss. The Grizzlies were eliminated by the Jazz in five games.
On October 16, 2021, the Grizzlies exercised their team option on Clarke for the 2022-23 season. On January 28, 2022, Clarke scored a season-high 22 points alongside three rebounds in a win over the Utah Jazz. The Grizzlies qualified for the playoffs for the second straight season, where they faced the Minnesota Timberwolves during their first-round series. On April 26, Clarke recorded playoff career highs of 21 points and 15 rebounds in a Game 5 win. On April 29, he recorded 17 points, eleven rebounds, five assists, and three blocks as the Grizzlies eliminated the Timberwolves from the playoffs with a Game 6 victory. The Grizzlies were eventually eliminated during the second round, with the Golden State Warriors beating them in six games.
Injury Challenges and Contract Extension (2022-2026)
On October 16, 2022, Clarke signed a four-year, $52 million contract extension with the Grizzlies. On March 3, 2023, during a loss to the Denver Nuggets, he suffered a left leg injury and exited the game after playing only two minutes. The next day, the Grizzlies announced that Clarke had suffered a torn left Achilles, ending his 2022-23 season.
Clarke made 64 appearances (18 starts) for the Grizzlies during the 2024-25 NBA season, averaging 8.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.0 assists. On March 22, 2025, Clarke was ruled out for the remainder of the season after suffering a high-grade PCL sprain in his right knee. On September 26, 2025, it was announced that Clarke would require an arthroscopic procedure to address knee synovitis, which was suffered during offseason training. He played in only two games for Memphis during the 2025-26 NBA season, recording averages of 4.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 0.5 assists. On March 24, 2026, Clarke was ruled out for the remainder of the season due to a right calf strain.
Playing Style and Strengths
At 6 feet 8 inches with solid frame and mobility, Clarke has established himself as a versatile two-way player. His defensive instincts and ability to protect the rim make him effective at the professional level. He is capable of guarding multiple positions and contributes in transition as a finisher. Clarke developed strong chemistry with the Grizzlies’ coaching staff and has been a key component of Memphis’s defensive schemes.
Notable Career Milestones
Clarke was selected 21st overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2019 NBA draft before being acquired by Memphis. He made his NBA debut on October 23, 2019. His career highlights include winning MVP of the 2019 NBA Summer League with a standout championship game performance, scoring 27 points twice during his rookie season, and recording playoff career highs of 21 points and 15 rebounds against Minnesota in April 2022. In college at Gonzaga, Clarke delivered a 36-point performance against No. 9 seeded Baylor in the NCAA tournament, becoming the third player in tournament history to record at least 35 points and five blocks, joining Shaquille O’Neal and David Robinson.
Brandon Clarke Career Statistics
Across his NBA career spanning 2019 to 2026, Clarke appeared in 308 regular-season games with career averages of 10.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game. His rookie season represented one of his most productive campaigns, establishing him as a key contributor for the Grizzlies franchise. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2020.
NBA Career Highlights
Clarke won MVP of the 2019 NBA Summer League, becoming the first non-American to win both the Summer League championship MVP and overall MVP. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2020. His collegiate career at Gonzaga saw him become the first player in WCC history to win both Newcomer of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year in the same season. Across his NBA career, Clarke has appeared in 308 regular-season games, averaging 10.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game.
Brandon Clarke Family
Family Background
Clarke was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, and moved to Phoenix, Arizona at age three. He holds dual citizenship in Canada and the United States. His mother, Whitney Triplett, is Canadian, and his father, Steve Clarke, is Jamaican. He attended Desert Vista High School in Phoenix, Arizona, before his collegiate career at San Jose State and Gonzaga.
Personal Life
In 2025, Clarke established the Brandon Clarke Foundation, which partnered with ARISE2Read to support literacy and mentorship efforts and hosted events for youth in Memphis. Through his foundation work, Clarke has demonstrated commitment to giving back to the Memphis community and supporting local youth development programs.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025-26 season, Clarke faced continued challenges with injuries that limited his availability to only two games. His season averages of 4.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 0.5 assists reflected the difficulties of returning from multiple injury setbacks. The Grizzlies’ investment in Clarke through a four-year, $52 million extension signed in October 2022 demonstrated the organization’s belief in his contributions, though his future role and availability remained dependent on his recovery and health management.
At 29 years old, Clarke’s trajectory with the Grizzlies entering the 2025-26 season represented a period of evaluation regarding his long-term fit and contributions to the team’s success. The franchise must consider his injury history when projecting his role moving forward. Clarke’s ability to stay healthy and return to his previous level of performance will be critical factors in determining his future with the organization and his overall career trajectory in the NBA.