Basketball

Brandon Clarke Died From Drug Overdose, Officials Confirm

August 8, 2026 ·

WOODLAND HILLS—Former Memphis Grizzlies forward and Gonzaga basketball star Brandon Clarke, 29, passed away in Woodland Hills on May 11, 2026. On Friday, August 7, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office announced the cause of his death from an accidental overdose caused by the combined toxic effects of heroin and cocaine.

Officials noted he was on multiple prescription medications, which is believed to have significantly contributed to his death. Clarke was found unresponsive in his bedroom around 5 p.m. and was declared dead at the scene by paramedics 15 minutes later at a home he was renting at 20322 Del Campo Place. The four-bedroom, four-bathroom house in an upscale neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley. The property has since been relisted on Zillow and is currently available for rent.

Clarke dealt with significant physical pain and rehabilitation from basketball injuries during the final years of his career, including an Achilles tear, a knee injury, and a calf strain. That ongoing pain came into focus after police bodycam footage surfaced from his arrest on April 1 in Arkansas. He was pulled over and found in possession of kratom, an herbal substance marketed as a pain remedy, along with the pain medication Toradol.

The state of Arkansas has classified kratom as a Schedule 1 controlled substance, and possession of any quantity is considered a Class C felony. Clarke was released on bond a day after his arrest.

Over his seven NBA seasons, Clarke averaged 10.2 points and 5.5 rebounds in roughly 20.8 minutes per game. He earned NBA Summer League First Team and NBA Summer League MVP honors in 2019, along with an NBA All-Rookie First Team selection in 2020.

Clarke is survived by his mother Whitney Triplett, stepfather Bryan Triplett, and biological father Steve Clarke.

By Milan Manesh

Lakers Sold For $10 Billion

June 19, 2025 ·

The Los Angeles Lakers are being sold for a record $10 billion dollars. (PHOTO: Michael C. Floch)

LOS ANGELES– Once upon a time in 1979 a business man named Jerry Buss purchased the, ” Fabulous” Forum,” the Kings hockey team and the Lakers. He paid what was then then a staggering sum of  $67.5 million dollars.

The NBA was struggling with low television ratings and many people questioned the move. Now forty six years later the investment has paid off handsomely. Mark Walter has purchased the Los Angeles Lakers for an astonishing $10 billion dollars. The owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers now has two of the most coveted sports franchises in the history of professional sports.

Thus it is certainly the end of an era. The magic that the Buss family brought to the Lakers franchise cannot be understated. With Jack Kent Cooke the Lakers were pretty good. When the Buss family came in and took over the reins of the team you now had something that was legendary.

Jerry West- Wilt Chamberlain- Kareem Abdul Janbar- Norm Nixon- Earvin “Magic” Johnson- Pat Riley- James Worthy-Kobe Bryant- Phil Jackson Shaquille O’Neal-Derrick Fisher-Pau Gasol-Lebron James- Anthony Davis- Luka Doncic.

Jerry West’s half court shot at the buzzer.. Kobe to Shaq alley oop against Portland.

Robert Horry last second three pointer against Sacramento that sent the Staples Center crowd into an unmatched frenzy.

And Ron Artest hitting the three against the hated Celtics in game 7 of the finals. After a rare pass from Kobe Bryant, Artest exclaiming with sheer joy, ” he passed me the ball!”

Memories to last a lifetime.

His daughter, Jeanie Buss, took over as principal owner after Jerry died in 2013, making her one of the most powerful women in sports.Jeanie Buss will stay on as governor after the sale.

Her tenure as principal owner helped usher stability, and restored pride in the Purple and Gold.

Magic Johnson, five time Laker champ and minority Dodgers owner knew Walter and Buss shared the same vision for the Lakers. That vision means winning.

“Mark Walter is the best choice and will be the best caretaker of the Laker brand,” Johnson posted on X.

“The proof is in the pudding on what he’s been able to accomplish with the LA Dodgers. Mark has been nothing short of a winner notching 2 World Series and 11 NL West divisional titles in the last 12 years!”

By Christopher Floch