Jackson played alongside Clarke in Memphis for seven seasons
Credit: AP Photo/Rick Bowmer
NEED TO KNOW
- Former Memphis Grizzlies star Jaren Jackson Jr. is sharing an emotional tribute to his former teammate Brandon Clarke
- The two NBA stars played together in Memphis for seven-plus seasons
- Clarke was found dead in a Los Angeles home on Monday, May 11
Jaren Jackson Jr. is mourning the death of his “twin,” his former Memphis Grizzlies teammate Brandon Clarke.
The Utah Jazz star, who played seven-plus seasons alongside Clarke in Memphis, shared a tight bond with the NBA player, who was found dead on Monday, May 11 in Los Angeles.
“I couldn’t imagine a world where this was even a possibility,” Jackson, 26, wrote in a tribute on Instagram on Wednesday, May 13, alongside a carousel of images. “I love you forever brother, this is absolutely devastating.”
Jackson continued, “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.”
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In the photos, the former teammates are seen celebrating wins on the court, relaxing on vacation and cutting up during practice.
Other Grizzlies players and former teammates took to the comments to support Jackson and to show love for Clarke.
“Love ya brother,” Ja Morant wrote, while Tyus Jones added, “Love you Trip.”
Credit: Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty
Meanwhile, Santi Aldama, Scotty Pippen Jr. and Jake LaRavia all commented with heart emojis.
The Grizzlies forward, 29, was pronounced dead shortly after 5 p.m. on Monday after the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) arrived at a home in the San Fernando Valley, responding to a 911 call, according to NBC4 in Los Angeles.
Credit: Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty
Clarke’s death is being investigated as a possible overdose after drug paraphernalia was found at the residence, the news station reported.
The Vancouver, British Columbia native’s agency was the first to confirm his death on Tuesday.
“We are beyond devastated by the passing of Brandon Clarke,” Priority Sports said in the statement. “He was so loved by all of us here, and everyone whose life he touched. He was the gentlest soul who was the first to be there for all of his friends and family. Our hearts are so broken as we think about his mom, Whitney, his entire family, and all of his friends and teammates.”
Credit: John Fisher/Getty
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For Jackson, the loss is profound.
“I truly lost my twin,” he wrote. “I’m still going to be talking to you always. You will be forever loved and forever missed.”
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