Cause of death revealed three months after sudden passing of 29-year-old active NBA player... Ultimately due to 'drugs'

*This content was translated by AI.

The cause of death for Brandon Clark, who suddenly passed away and sent shockwaves through the National Basketball Association (NBA), has been revealed after approximately three months. He was 29 years old at the time of his death. The cause was heroin and cocaine.

Reuters reported on the 9th (Korean time) that "Clark, a forward for the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies, was confirmed to have died from the effects of heroin and cocaine."

It further added, "The Los Angeles County Coroner's Office also officially announced that Clark died from the influence of heroin and cocaine."

Clark was found unconscious in the bedroom of a home in San Fernando Valley, California, last May. Emergency responders who arrived at the scene confirmed his death.

The news that an active NBA player as young as 29 had suddenly passed away sent shockwaves through the American basketball community.

At the time, however, the specific cause of death was not disclosed. The coroner ruled Clark's death a homicide. Possibility of death due to drug overdose was also raised. However, it was not revealed which prescription drugs were involved.

Coronial authorities conducted relevant tests the day after Clark's death and officially confirmed both the cause and manner of death following an investigation lasting approximately three months.

In fact, Clark was arrested about six weeks before his death while undergoing a traffic stop; charges related to possession and distribution of controlled substances were applied at that time.

Clark was once a promising prospect in the NBA. After playing for Gonzaga University in the United States, he entered the NBA and played exclusively for Memphis over seven seasons.

He primarily served as a sixth man. Clark appeared in 309 career NBA games, starting in 50 of them, averaging 10.2 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. During the 2019–2020 season, he finished fourth in Rookie of the Year voting, earning recognition for his potential.

However, during the later stages of his playing career, Clark endured difficult times due to frequent injuries. In 2023, he suffered an Achilles tendon rupture and was unable to play for over a year. During the 2025–2026 season, knee and calf injuries compounded, limiting him to just two games played.

Following Clark's passing, the Memphis Grizzlies organization paid tribute to him as "an excellent teammate and an even better person."

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*This content was translated by AI.