Skip to main content

Grizzlies Forward Brandon Clarke Arrested on Drug Possession, Trafficking Charges

Clarke was arrested in Arkansas on Wednesday.
Brandon Clarke was arrested in Arkansas on Wednesday.
Brandon Clarke was arrested in Arkansas on Wednesday. | Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images

In this story:

On Wednesday, Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke was arrested in Arkansas on drug and speeding charges.

Records from the Cross County Sheriff’s Office show Clarke was booked in the early afternoon on Wednesday. He is charged with possession of a controlled substance, trafficking a controlled substance, exceeding the speed limit and improper passing.

Clarke, 29, was drafted in the first round of the 2019 NBA draft. He has played 309 games for Memphis over the course of his seven seasons, averaging 10.2 points and 5.5 rebounds in 20.1 minutes per game. He has not seen the court very often this season due to injury. Clarke underwent knee surgery in September and was only able to return for two games in December before suffering another injury, this time a right calf strain. In March the Grizzlies shut him down for the season.

Memphis coach Tuomas Iisalo was asked about the situation ahead of the team’s game against the Knicks on Wednesday.

“I’m aware of the report but don't have any comments," he said.

In an emailed statement to The Commercial Appeal, Chief Deputy Larry Jones said “there is no additional information that can be released” at this time about Clarke’s arrest.


More NBA from Sports Illustrated


Published | Modified
Liam McKeone
LIAM MCKEONE

Liam McKeone is a senior writer for the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. He has been in the industry as a content creator since 2017, and prior to joining SI in May 2024, McKeone worked for NBC Sports Boston and The Big Lead. In addition to his work as a writer, he has hosted the Press Pass Podcast covering sports media and The Big Stream covering pop culture. A graduate of Fordham University, he is always up for a good debate and enjoys loudly arguing about sports, rap music, books and video games. McKeone has been a member of the National Sports Media Association since 2020.