"A combination of heroin and cocaine": The cause of death of the NBA player has been published

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office announced on Friday that Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke died "from the effects of heroin and cocaine." The statement noted that the combination of these drugs was determined to be the official cause of death, which has been ruled an accident. It was further stated that the "combined effect of several prescription drugs" was another significant factor, though the specific substances were not identified.

29-year-old Clarke was found unresponsive at a home in the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles on the evening of May 11. According to the medical examiner's office, paramedics found him in a bedroom and he was pronounced dead at the scene. At the time, sources told ABC News that drugs were found at the scene and there were no signs of foul play.

Clarke's death shocked the NBA, especially the Memphis organization, where he played throughout his seven-year career. Selected in the first round of the draft after his time at Gonzaga, he finished with averages of 10.2 points and 5.5 rebounds in 309 games for the Grizzlies.

"Brandon was an outstanding teammate and an even better person, and his impact on the club and the entire Memphis community will not be forgotten," the club said at the time.

Clarke finished fourth in the voting for Rookie of the Year in 2019/20 and became an important rotation player due to his energy and intelligence. However, he suffered from numerous injuries in recent years, missing more than a full year due to an Achilles tendon tear, while knee and shin problems limited him to just two games last season.

In April, while sidelined, Clarke was indicted in Arkansas for possession and trafficking of a controlled substance after police found about 1,200 pills in his possession. Clarke claimed it was "just kratom," a substance legal in some US states but illegal in Arkansas. The medical examiner's office did not state whether kratom was found in Clarke's system at the time of his death.