Home » Sports » NBA » Memphis Grizzlies

Late Brandon Clarke’s Former Coach Urges NBA to Make Players’ Mental Health a Priority in Emotional Tribute

Brandon Clarke’s passing left his former teammates and coaches struggling to put their grief into words. Jaren Jackson Jr. described him as his “twin,” while Ja Morant shared a heartbreaking message: “This hurt BC. Love you broski. Gone way too…

By Pranav Kotai · Essentially Sports

Published: Tuesday, 10 November 2026 at 10:30 AM

Key Things to Know

Darko Rajakovic urged the NBA and its teams to prioritize player mental health following Brandon Clarke's passing.
Rajakovic paid tribute to Clarke ahead of a Raptors-Grizzlies game, emphasizing the unseen pressures professional athletes endure.
The Memphis Grizzlies honored Clarke with a locker room memorial, a video tribute, and commemorative jersey patches.

The Story in 60 Seconds

Former Memphis Grizzlies assistant and current Toronto Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic urged the NBA and teams to prioritize mental health awareness during an emotional tribute to Brandon Clarke. Speaking ahead of a matchup between Toronto and Memphis, Rajakovic remembered the late forward's character, emphasizing that athletes are human beings who face personal struggles that are not always visible.

Clarke passed away in May 2026, leading the Grizzlies to install a locker room memorial and wear commemorative jersey patches for the 2026-27 season. Meanwhile, Clarke's agent, Mark Bartelstein, clarified that an insurance provision in Clarke's contract fully protects his remaining $12.5 million salary, ensuring it will be paid to his estate.

Read the full article on Essentially Sports