Last Updated on April 23, 2026 by Mat Diekhake
Here’s the detailed information about Brandon Clarke:
- Full Name: Brandon Clarke
- Nationality: Canadian-American
- Age: Born September 19, 1996
- Hometown: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Height: 6 feet 8 inches (203 cm)
- Weight: 215 pounds (98 kg)
- Wingspan: 6 feet 10 inches (208 cm)
- Shoe Size: 15 (US Men’s)
- Shoe Brand: Nike KD 16, Nike KD 15, Nike KD 13, Nike PG 2.5, Nike PG 2
- Number: #15 (Gonzaga Bulldogs) #15 (Memphis Grizzlies)
- Position: Power Forward / Center
- High School: Desert Vista High School in Phoenix, Arizona
- College:
- San José State University (2015–2017)
- Gonzaga University (2018–2019)
- NBA Draft: 2019, 1st round, 21st overall pick by the Oklahoma City Thunder (traded to the Memphis Grizzlies)
- Player Archetype: Energy big / rim-running defensive playmaker
- Primary Offensive Role: Screen-and-roll finisher, interior scorer, transition threat
- Defensive Role: Weakside rim protector, switch-capable help defender
- Play Style: High-motor, efficient finisher, thrives off cuts, lobs, and hustle plays
- Handedness / Shooting Hand: Right-handed
- Athletic Profile: Elite vertical explosiveness, quick second jump, fluid lateral mobility
- Recruiting Status: Under-recruited, late-blooming prospect
- Draft Status Detail: Older sophomore breakout at Gonzaga; analytics darling due to elite efficiency and defensive metrics
- Injury Status Category: Moderate Risk — significant Achilles tear (2023) but returned to rotation play
- Career Stage: Prime years (established rotation big with defined role)
- Comparison Style: Undersized, high-efficiency, defense-first big with vertical spacing value
- Comparable Players:
- Kenyon Martin — explosive interior finisher with defensive presence
- Larry Nance Jr. — athletic forward thriving in pick-and-roll and help defense
- Montrezl Harrell — energy big scoring efficiently inside
- Teams Played For:
-
- Memphis Grizzlies (2019–present)
- Championship Rings: None as of now
- Kids: None
- Siblings: Unknown
Brandon Clarke’s player archetype is that of an energy big who anchors lineups through defensive activity and hyper-efficient interior scoring. He operates primarily as a weakside rim protector, using elite timing and vertical pop to contest shots and disrupt plays without needing high usage. Offensively, he fills a low-maintenance but highly effective role as a rim-runner and pick-and-roll finisher, thriving on cuts, lobs, and second-chance opportunities. Physically, Clarke stands out with his explosiveness, quick second jump, and fluid mobility, which allow him to play bigger than his size. His overall play style is defined by relentless effort, positional intelligence, and efficiency rather than shot creation, making him a seamless fit alongside ball-dominant guards.
Sources:
Basketball Reference — Brandon Clarke Stats
NBA.com — Brandon Clarke Player Profile
ESPN — Brandon Clarke Bio
