The Los Angeles County medical examiner’s office said earlier this month that Brandon Clarke died from an accidental overdose of heroin and cocaine, and on Monday, the full autopsy report was released, according to Melody Gutierrez of The Athletic.
The report added more detail around what investigators found. Clarke’s roommate told authorities after his death that the seven-year NBA veteran had a “history of drug use with prior stints at a rehabilitation program.” The roommate, after being urged by Clarke’s agent to check on him, found the Canadian power forward unresponsive in his bedroom.
Gutierrez reported that the medical examiner had initially listed the “combined effects of multiple prescription medications” as a contributing factor in Clarke’s death. The full report said oxycodone, anti-anxiety medication and muscle relaxers were present “within therapeutic levels.” Toxicology testing also found mitragynine, a substance derived from kratom.
The report further stated that “vape devices, cannabis products, injectable peptides, syringes and a box of Narcan,” were discovered in Clarke’s bedroom and attached bathroom. Gutierrez also noted there was a “plate with a white powdery substance” in the kitchen island area of the home.
Clarke’s NBA career was defined by production when he was available and frustrating injury absences when he wasn’t. The former San Jose State and Gonzaga standout averaged 10.2 points and 5.5 rebounds in 20.8 minutes per game over 309 regular season appearances with Memphis, his only NBA team.
Elsewhere around the Grizzlies, Jaylen Wells is heading into his third season with one specific area of focus. Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal wrote that the 6’7″ wing is working to sharpen every part of his game, but he singled out one weakness in particular.
“ I think the one biggest weakness that I had was reading the pick-and-roll,” Wells said. “ I think that’s something I really wanted to work on, and it’s something I’m kind of attacking.”
Wells finished third in Rookie of the Year voting in 2024/25 and then put together a strong follow-up season, averaging 12.5 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists while shooting .431/.353/.784 in 69 games, all starts, across 26.4 minutes per night.
Cole also identified three single-season franchise records that could fall in 2026/27: three-point percentage, three-pointers made per game and rebounds per game. The players he pointed to as possible record-breakers were Cam Spencer, Ty Jerome and Zach Edey, respectively. As Cole noted, Jerome and Edey would need to stay healthy to have a shot at those marks after the pair was limited to 26 combined games in 2025/26.
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The challenge is that this award race may not be a runaway. Boozer has the profile to be in the Rookie of the Year mix from the start, but Darryn Peterson and Caleb Wilson are also viewed as legitimate contenders, which could make the vote tighter than expected. Memphis will be watching closely because Boozers path to the trophy may depend on how smoothly he turns his tools into production once the season opens. [Read more 🡒]