Where did Brandon Clarke go to college ? Full breakdown

Brandon Clarke's College Path: From San Jose State to Gonzaga Stardom, Remembered After Tragic Death at 29

In the wake of the heartbreaking news of NBA forward Brandon Clarke's death on May 11, 2026, at the age of 29, fans, teammates, and basketball enthusiasts have turned to his early career to reflect on a life cut far too short.

Clarke, who played seven seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies after being selected 21st overall in the 2019 NBA Draft, began his collegiate journey at San Jose State University before transferring to Gonzaga University, where he emerged as a national star.

Born in Vancouver, British Columbia, on September 19, 1996, and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, where he starred at Desert Vista High School, Clarke arrived at San Jose State as a lightly recruited prospect in the class of 2015. He made an immediate impact with the Spartans in the Mountain West Conference.

San Jose State Spartans (2015–2017)

As a freshman in 2015–16, Clarke came off the bench in most games but earned Mountain West Sixth Man of the Year honors from the league's head coaches. He averaged solid numbers in conference play (10.1 points and 7.3 rebounds per game) while showcasing his efficiency and defensive instincts, blocking 39 shots that season.

His sophomore year (2016–17) was a breakout season. Clarke started 18 of 30 games and posted career-best averages of 17.3 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.6 blocks, and 2.3 assists per game. He shot an eye-popping 59.2% from the field overall (and even higher in league play), led the Spartans in scoring and rebounding, and set a new program single-season blocks record with 77. His defensive dominance earned him spots on the All-Mountain West First Team and All-Defensive Team. Clarke's performance turned heads, but he chose to transfer for a bigger stage.

Gonzaga Bulldogs (2017–2019)

Clarke sat out the 2017–18 season as a transfer redshirt, then exploded onto the national scene in 2018–19 as a redshirt junior. Playing in 37 games (36 starts) for the Bulldogs, he averaged 16.9 points, 8.6 rebounds, and a nation-leading 3.2 blocks per game while shooting a scorching 68.7% from the field — the best in the West Coast Conference.

He recorded 13 double-doubles, set Gonzaga's single-season blocks record with 117, and delivered unforgettable moments, including a school NCAA Tournament record of 36 points on perfect 15-for-15 shooting from the field in one game against Baylor.

That season, Clarke earned Third Team All-American honors (AP), All-West Coast Conference First Team, WCC Defender, and Newcomer of the Year honors, and helped lead Gonzaga to the Elite Eight. He was also a finalist for the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year award and earned spots on watch lists for major national player of the year honors.

Clarke declared for the 2019 NBA Draft after that lone active season at Gonzaga and was selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder before being immediately traded to the Memphis Grizzlies, the team he would represent for his entire professional career.

Following the announcement of his passing — reported by his agency Priority Sports and the Grizzlies on May 12, with authorities investigating it as a possible overdose — tributes poured in from across the basketball world, many highlighting the unlikely path from overlooked high school recruit to college standout to NBA All-Rookie First Team honoree.

From the Spartans' Mountain West grind to Gonzaga's March Madness spotlight, Brandon Clarke's college career was a testament to hard work, defensive prowess, and relentless improvement. Though his time on the court has ended, his journey from San Jose State to Gonzaga remains an inspiring chapter in his story.

Rest in peace, BC.