Memphis Grizzlies player Brandon Clarke died mysteriously in Los Angeles at age 29, just six weeks after Arkansas police discovered multiple large bags of kratom during a high-speed traffic stop. The 29-year-old NBA forward was driving over 100 miles per hour in his Corvette when officers pulled him over for fleeing police.

What Police Found During Traffic Stop

Officers handcuffed Clarke and searched his vehicle, discovering several large bags filled with clear capsules containing green powder. The bags were labeled as pure kratom with brand names including “The Juice,” “Gold Rhino,” and “Pure Green.” Police also found a THC vape pen testing positive for marijuana. Arkansas classifies kratom as a Schedule I controlled substance, making possession illegal despite its legal status in neighboring Tennessee where Clarke played.

Clarke told officers from the back of the patrol vehicle that the substance was “just kratom.” Police charged him with two felonies—trafficking a controlled substance and fleeing in a vehicle—plus three misdemeanors. The traffic stop occurred in Cross County, Arkansas, where kratom laws differ significantly from the more permissive regulations in Tennessee.

Injury History And Substance Use

The basketball player spent three years battling injuries that kept him off the court. He tore his Achilles tendon in 2023 and underwent two knee procedures in 2025. This season, Clarke missed games with a strained right calf before the team declared him out for the remainder of the season. Kratom has been used for centuries to manage pain, though critics label the modern manufactured version “gas station heroin” due to addiction risks.

The Drug Enforcement Administration warns that kratom produces stimulant effects at low doses and sedative effects at higher doses. The substance can lead to psychotic symptoms and both psychological and physical dependence. The Food and Drug Administration cautions that kratom use may cause liver toxicity, seizures, and in rare cases death when combined with other drugs.

Death Investigation Remains Open

Clarke died on May 11 in Los Angeles. The County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner listed the case status as “deferred,” meaning investigators completed an examination but requested additional testing before determining cause of death. The medical examiner’s office stated that deferred cases typically take several months to complete. Investigators have not disclosed whether kratom played any role in Clarke’s death or what specific tests remain pending.