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 Gonzaga Bulldogs and San José State University Spartans men’s basketball team. 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.
Early Life and Background
Brandon Clarke was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, to a Canadian mother and Jamaican father. At the age of three, Clarke moved with his family to Phoenix, Arizona, where he became a dual citizen of Canada and the United States. He attended Desert Vista High School in Phoenix, where he was recognized as an All-Arizona Division 1 honoree after leading his team to the championship game in 2015.
Path to Basketball
Clarke played two seasons for the San Jose State Spartans. As a freshman, he was named Mountain West Sixth Man of the Year after averaging 10.1 points and 7.3 rebounds in conference play. In his sophomore year, he improved his performance, averaging 17.3 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.6 blocks, and 2.3 assists, earning All-Mountain West First Team and Mountain West All-Defensive Team honors. He then transferred to Gonzaga, where he redshirted the 2017–18 season. In his junior season, Clarke continued to excel, winning both the West Coast Conference’s Newcomer of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year awards, becoming the first player in WCC history to achieve this feat in the same season.
Brandon Clarke Career
Early Career (2019)
Brandon Clarke was selected in the first round of the 2019 NBA draft with the 21st overall pick. On July 7, 2019, the Memphis Grizzlies announced that they had officially acquired Clarke from the Oklahoma City Thunder. He had an impressive showing in the 2019 NBA Summer League, where he was named the most valuable player (MVP), becoming the second non-American to win the award. He made his NBA debut on October 23, 2019, and quickly made an impact.
Breakthrough (2020)
Clarke’s breakthrough came during his rookie season, where he was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2020. He had notable performances, including a career-high 27 points in a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. His contributions helped the Grizzlies qualify for the postseason for the first time since 2017.
Notable Works and Milestones
Clarke’s signature work includes his performance in the NBA, where he has been recognized for his defensive skills and scoring ability. His achievements include being named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team and receiving multiple collegiate honors.
Brandon Clarke Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Brandon Clarke has received several nominations, including being recognized as a member of the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2020.
Brandon Clarke Awards Won
Brandon Clarke has won multiple awards, including the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2020, Third-team All-American in 2019, and several conference honors during his college career.
Brandon Clarke Family
Information about Brandon Clarke’s family is not publicly available.
Personal Life
Brandon Clarke has expressed his desire to play for the Canadian national team in the future. He currently plays for the Memphis Grizzlies and has signed a four-year contract extension with the team, worth $52 million, which runs through 2026.