Brandon Clarke

Clarke is a Canadian-American forward known for his athleticism, shot-blocking, and finishing ability around the rim. Drafted 21st overall in 2019 and traded to Memphis, he made an immediate impact as a rookie, earning All-Rookie First Team honors. His collegiate career spanned two seasons at San Jose State and a standout year at Gonzaga, where his defensive versatility and transition game elevated his draft stock.

Born on September 19, 1996, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Clarke is the son of a Canadian mother, Whitney Triplett, and a Jamaican father, Steve Clarke. At age three, he moved with his family to Phoenix, Arizona, and eventually became a dual citizen of Canada and the United States. He attended Desert Vista High School in Phoenix, where he was named an All-Arizona Division 1 honoree by the Arizona Republic after leading Desert Vista to the championship game in 2015.

Clarke played two seasons of college basketball at San Jose State University. As a freshman, he was named Mountain West Conference Sixth Man of the Year. He continued to develop as a sophomore before deciding to transfer to Gonzaga for his remaining eligibility. At Gonzaga, he became one of the most impactful players in the country. His athleticism, rim protection, and ability to run the floor made him a standout in the West Coast Conference and a key contributor on a nationally ranked team.

The Oklahoma City Thunder selected Clarke with the 21st overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft and immediately traded his rights to the Memphis Grizzlies. In his rookie season, he averaged 12.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks in 22.4 minutes per game. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2020, reflecting his immediate impact on both ends of the floor. He formed a productive frontcourt pairing with Jaren Jackson Jr. and became a fixture in the Grizzlies rotation.

Clarke is an athletic, high-energy forward who thrives in transition and around the rim. He scores on lobs, putbacks, and fast-break finishes, and his vertical athleticism allows him to finish above the rim despite his undersized frame for a power forward. Defensively, he blocks shots with timing and uses his lateral quickness to switch onto smaller players in pick-and-roll coverage. His rebounding is solid for his size, particularly on the offensive glass. His offensive game is limited outside of the restricted area, and his three-point shooting remains a development target. Health has been an intermittent concern, with injuries sidelining him for stretches.

Clarke enters the 2025–26 season with the Memphis Grizzlies. His résumé includes an All-Arizona Division 1 selection at Desert Vista, Mountain West Sixth Man of the Year at San Jose State, a Gonzaga transfer that elevated his draft stock, a 21st overall draft selection, a 2019 draft-night trade to Memphis, and NBA All-Rookie First Team honors in 2020. His path from Vancouver through Phoenix and the San Jose State-Gonzaga route into the NBA reflects a player whose athleticism and defensive versatility translated immediately to the professional level.