NBA Rocked By Tragedy: Brandon Clarke, Jason Collins Pass Away In Dark Day For Basketball

Last Updated:May 13, 2026, 08:10 IST

The NBA is mourning two heartbreaking losses after the deaths of Brandon Clarke at 29 and trailblazing former player Jason Collins at 47.

The NBA community was rocked by tragedy on Tuesday following the deaths of Brandon Clarke and former NBA player Jason Collins.

The Memphis Grizzlies confirmed that Clarke, 29, had passed away, though no official cause of death was released.

“We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of Brandon Clarke," the franchise 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."

Clarke’s management agency, Priority Sports, described him as “the gentlest soul" and someone who was always there for family and friends.

According to reports from an NBC affiliate in Los Angeles, Clarke was found dead Monday at a residence in the San Fernando Valley. Authorities are reportedly investigating the possibility of a drug overdose, though officials have yet to publicly confirm details.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver also paid tribute, calling Clarke “a beloved teammate and leader who played the game with enormous passion and grit."

Grizzlies superstar Ja Morant shared emotional posts on Instagram, including a photo of Clarke embracing him on court, alongside the caption: “It’s bigger than basketball."

Clarke was selected 21st overall in the 2019 NBA Draft and quickly became a fan favorite in Memphis thanks to his energy, athleticism, and relentless hustle. He earned NBA All-Rookie honors in his debut season and signed a four-year, $50 million extension in 2022. Injuries, however, severely disrupted the latter part of his career.

An LGBTQ+ Icon Passes

The basketball world was also mourning the loss of Collins, who died at 47 after battling glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer.

Collins made history in 2013 when he became the first openly gay active player in a major American men’s professional sports league after revealing his sexuality in a groundbreaking interview with Sports Illustrated.

Reflecting on that moment in a 2025 interview, Collins recalled receiving calls from both Barack Obama and Oprah Winfrey after coming out publicly.

“President Obama said, ‘What you’ve done today will have a positive impact on someone you might not ever meet in your lifetime,’" Collins said.

Silver described Collins as someone whose impact extended “far beyond basketball," adding that he helped make the NBA and wider sports world “more inclusive and welcoming for future generations."

(with agency inputs)

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