The sister of late NBA star Brandon Clarke emotionally reacted to his sudden death earlier this week.
“Thank you so much for the outpouring of love and support,” Clarke’s sister, Taylor Triplett, posted via her Instagram Story on Wednesday, May 13. “It means everything to our family. If you reached out please know I appreciate it so much but I am just having a hard time finding the words to even talk about this yet and it might be a while before I’m ready.”
She added, “Thank you all for your support and love for my brother.”
Clarke was pronounced dead on Monday, May 11, after he was found unresponsive at a home in Los Angeles. He was 29.
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His death is currently being investigated as a possible drug overdose, according to NBC4.
Triplett, 31, also shared a photo of herself and Clarke from her June 2024 wedding. “Still doesn’t feel real,” she wrote. “Still don’t have the words other than I love you.”
Brandon was born to his parents, Steve Clarke and Whitney (now Triplett), but was largely raised by Brandon’s stepfather, Bryan Triplett, who Whitney married in April 2001 when Brandon was 4 years old.
Taylor shared a series of photos via her Instagram Story from her time growing up as Brandon’s older sister.
“We were the cutest,” she captioned one of the images, writing on another, “Proof I was taller at one point.”
Brandon played all seven of his NBA seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies, though he was limited to just two games during the 2025–26 campaign as he dealt with injuries.
After the news of his death, many of his Grizzlies teammates took to social media to remember him.
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Grizzlies star Jaren Jackson Jr. wrote via Instagram, “I couldn’t imagine a world where this was even a possibility. i love you forever brother, this is absolutely devastating. i just wish i could talk to you. you were so much to so many and even more to me. i will never have the words to describe what this feels like. i still can’t believe this. to your family and friends and everyone you were always a light and you were always so genuine and real and our friendship went far beyond anything on the court.”
Jackson, who was drafted by the Grizzlies the year before Clarke joined the team, added, “I truly lost my twin. i’m still going to be talking to you always. you will be forever loved and forever missed.”
Grizzlies star Ja Morant said Clarke’s death was “bigger than basketball.”
“This hurt BC 💔,” Morant posted via his Instagram Story. “Love you broski. Gone way too soon.”
