Category: Sports News

Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke has died, his agency announced on Tuesday, May 12. He was 29.

The native of Vancouver, Canada played three years of college basketball, including one season at Gonzaga, and he was a member of the Memphis Grizzlies for all seven seasons of his NBA career.

Clarke made an impact in his community and, after the news of his passing circulated, he was remembered around the internet with high praise.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver said Clarke was, "a beloved teammate and leader who played the game with enormous passion and grit."

This offseason, LeBron James has a big decision to make.

Set for unrestricted free agency, this is the first time during LeBron’s tenure that he is entering a summer without a contract with the Lakers since joining LA in 2018. All options are on the board, from returning to the Lakers to leaving for another team or even retirement.

Naturally, that makes his future uncertain, but from the Lakers’ perspective, the desire for him to remain with the team is as strong as ever.

Throughout the years, Lakers President of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka has shared his desire for LeBron to retire as a Laker and he doubled down on that sentiment on Tuesday morning during his exit interview.

“We probably haven’t seen a player that has honored the game to the extent that he’s honored the game,” Pelinka said. “He’s given so much to his teammates, to this organization. The thing we want to do more than anything else is honor him back.

“I think the first order of business there is allowing him to spend the time he needs to decide what his next steps are. Does he want to play another year in the NBA? And that’ll be, as he said to you guys last night, family time, I think time with his inner circle. We just want to honor that for him. Of course, any team, including our’s, would love to have LeBron James on their roster. That’s a blessing in itself just with what he does.”

Pelinka’s words also matched reporting by Dan Woike of The Athletic, who published an article on Tuesday morning stating that both the Lakers and LeBron are open to continuing working together.

“Both James and the Lakers, according to team and league sources, have interest in continuing their partnership (Rob Pelinka and Jeanie Buss have both said they hope James’ career ends with the Lakers). But Golden State and Cleveland could try to lure the NBA’s all-time leading scorer in an effort to win now – especially if James senses the Lakers are set on moving on in a different direction without him.”

Obviously, plenty of teams will be interested in LeBron’s services. The Warriors have repeatedly flirted with the idea of bringing in LeBron. The Cavaliers, being his hometown team and a competitive franchise in the East, will always be an alluring proposition.

But the Lakers have their advantages as well.

They are fresh off back-to-back 50-win seasons and are primed to be contenders in the West next season. Here in LA, he can continue to play with his son, Bronny, which he has consistently said he loves to do.

A lot can still happen, and LeBron holds all the cards, but it’s encouraging to hear that he is willing to play the one that has LA on it, and the Lakers are open to him doing just that.

You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.

Jason Collins, NBA's first openly gay player, dies at 47 of brain tumor originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Jason Collins, the NBA’s first openly gay player who went on to become a pioneer for inclusion and an ambassador for the league, has died after an eight-month battle with an aggressive form of a brain tumor, his family announced Tuesday.

Collins spent 13 years as a player in the league for six different franchises. He revealed in 2013 that he was gay, an announcement that came toward the end of his playing career.

Collins had been diagnosed with Stage 4 glioblastoma, which has an extremely low survival rate. He was 47.

“Jason changed lives in unexpected ways and was an inspiration to all who knew him and to those who admired him from afar,” Collins’ family said in a statement released through the NBA. “We are grateful for the outpouring of love and prayers over the past eight months and for the exceptional medical care Jason received from his doctors and nurses. Our family will miss him dearly.”

Just last week, Collins received the inaugural Bill Walton Global Champion Award at the Green Sports Alliance Summit. He was too ill to attend and his twin brother, former NBA player Jarron Collins, accepted for him.

“I told my brother this before I came here: He’s the bravest, strongest man I’ve ever known,” Jarron Collins said while accepting that award.

Jason Collins averaged 3.6 points and 3.7 rebounds in his career. He helped the New Jersey Nets reach two NBA Finals and in his best season averaged 6.4 points and 6.1 rebounds for them in 2004-05.

“Jason Collins’ impact and influence extended far beyond basketball as he helped make the NBA, WNBA and larger sports community more inclusive and welcoming for future generations,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said. “He exemplified outstanding leadership and professionalism throughout his 13-year NBA career and in his dedicated work as an NBA Cares Ambassador. Jason will be remembered not only for breaking barriers, but also for the kindness and humanity that defined his life and touched so many others.

“On behalf of the NBA, I send my heartfelt condolences to Jason’s husband, Brunson, and his family, friends and colleagues across our leagues.”

Jason Collins revealed his sexuality in a first-person account for Sports Illustrated in April 2013. He was a free agent at the time, said he wanted to keep playing, and went on to play in 22 games with Brooklyn the following season.

“If I had my way, someone else would have already done this,” he wrote at that time. “Nobody has, which is why I’m raising my hand.”

His decision was widely lauded, with star players such as Kobe Bryant quickly speaking out in support of Collins. There was even support from the White House and then-former President Bill Clinton — whose daughter, Chelsea, went to Stanford with Collins. At Stanford, Collins was roommates with someone who was part of another American political dynasty, that being Joe Kennedy III, who spent eight years in Congress representing Massachusetts.

Collins, in the piece for Sports Illustrated, wrote that he realized he needed to go public about his sexuality when Kennedy walked in Boston’s gay pride parade in 2012 — but Collins couldn’t do the same.

Until then, Collins kept his feelings about gay rights close to the vest. He wore jersey No. 98 for the majority of his final three playing stints with Boston, Washington and Brooklyn — a nod to the year that Matthew Shepard, a gay college student in Wyoming, was killed. He also wore 46 in one game for the Nets, since it was the only jersey the team had available when he signed.

Collins made nearly 61% of his shots in his career at Stanford, which remains a school record. He was an honorable mention selection for The Associated Press’ All-America team in 2001, a few months before the Houston Rockets took him with the 18th pick in that year’s NBA draft.

“It’s a sad day for all of us associated with Stanford basketball when we lose one of the program’s greats,” former Stanford coach Mike Montgomery said. “We all have great memories of Jason and the kind of person he was. It’s hard to separate Jarron and Jason because they thought so alike, but even though he was an identical twin, Jason was unique in his own way. The impact he had on Stanford was immense, as he could match up against anyone in the country because he was big, smart, strong and skilled, all while being a very bright and nice person.”

The NBA world got some unexpected, tragic news on Tuesday, as word of Memphis Grizzlies' power forward Brandon Clarke's death was revealed. He was 29 years old. The news was confirmed by Clarke's sports agency.

Though drafted with he 21st overall pick by the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2019, the former Gonzaga Bulldog played all seven of his NBA seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies, earning All-Rookie team honors in 2020 and Sixth Man of the Year consideration in 2022. He played in just two games for the Grizzlies during the 2025-26 season due to a right calf strain among other various injuries.

Clarke's death comes little more than a month after he was arrested in Arkansas for improper passing, possession of a controlled substance, fleeing and exceeding the speed limit, and trafficking a controlled substance.

Brandon Clarke, a former first-round draft pick who spent all seven of his NBA seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies, has died. He was 29.

His agency, Priority Sports, confirmed the news Tuesday on social media. No cause of death has been disclosed.

"Everyone loved BC because he was always there as the most supportive friend you could ever imagine," the agency wrote. "He was so unique in the joy he brought to all of those in his life. It's just impossible to put into words how much he'll be missed. We love you, BC."

Born in Vancouver, Canada, Clarke played basketball at Desert Vista High in Phoenix, Ariz., before spending two years at San Jose State and one at Gonzaga. He was selected at No. 21 overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2021 NBA draft but he was traded to the Grizzlies weeks later.

Read more:Kyle Loftis, street racing media pioneer who founded 1320Video, dies at 43

Clarke played in 309 games for Memphis but only two this past season because of injuries. Clarke averaged 10.2 points and 5.5 rebounds during his career.

“We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of Brandon Clarke,” the Grizzlies said in a statement. “Brandon was an outstanding teammate and an even better person whose impact on the organization and the greater Memphis community will not be forgotten. We express our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones during this difficult time.”

NBA commissioner Adam Silver also released a statement.

"We are devastated to learn of the passing of Brandon Clarke," Silver said. "As one of the longest-tenured members of the Grizzlies, Brandon was a beloved teammate and leader who played the game with enormous passion and grit. Our thoughts and sympathies are with Brandon's family, friends and the Grizzlies organization."

Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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Perhaps the basketball gods are about to strike at the San Antonio Spurs. Two additions to the “questionable” line on their injury report before Game 5 could throw this series further into chaos, certainly after the Minnesota Timberwolves’ comeback win in Game 4.

My Timberwolves vs. Spurs props and NBA picks expect Minnesota to ask more from its best player while San Antonio may need to shift tactics in Game 5 on Tuesday, May 12.

For more intel, check out my complete Timberwolves vs. Spurs predictions.

Best Timberwolves vs Spurs props for Game 5

Player	Pick
Anthony Edwards	Over 6.5 rebounds	+122
Keldon Johnson	Over 8.5 points	+102
Julius Randle	Under 3.5 assists	+105

Game 5 Prop #1: Anthony Edwards Over 6.5 rebounds

+122 at bet365

There are a few ways to assess the possibility the San Antonio Spurs could be without Dylan Harper and/or De’Aaron Fox tonight. It is quite likely at least one plays — if not both — but in the regular season, a gameday downgrade on the injury report is quite a telling move. That bodes poorly for Harper’s likelihood.

Harper, in particular, has been excellent this series, snagging at least four rebounds in each game, averaging 5.5, and seeing increased minutes in close games. Without the physical rookie on the court, Anthony Edwards’ life would get a bit easier.

The Minnesota Timberwolves superstar already emphasizes the glass in the postseason. After finding 14 rebounds in 41 minutes in Game 3, Edwards tracked down six in 40 minutes in Game 4.

The plus-money value here is a delight, the perk of this prop climbing from 5.5 rebounds. If either Harper or Fox is sidelined, Edwards should be pestered a bit less when handling the ball, should have a touch more energy, and should have a few more opportunities on the glass.

Game 5 Prop #2: Keldon Johnson Over 8.5 points

+102 at bet365

On the San Antonio side of things, losing Harper’s offense would create an opportunity for some other reserve. And it is worth focusing on Harper’s injury compared to Fox’s simply because a knee injury is more worrying than an ankle injury — along with the timing of the respective questionable designations.

Keldon Johnson could fill some of the Harper hole, though Johnson has already cleared this prop in three of the four games of this series, even with Harper excelling.

Johnson played cautiously in Game 4, but a role player should always be expected to play better at home than on the road. Again, the plus-money value here is a delight, quite frankly, a surprising one.

Game 5 Prop #3: Julius Randle Under 3.5 assists

+105 at bet365

Julius Randle has yet to dish out four assists in a game in this series. In fact, he is averaging just 1.75 assists per game. This prop should not be double that average.

At some point, the Timberwolves may need to go away from Randle. He is not shooting well, he's turning the ball over too often — at least five times in three of the four games against the Spurs — and he is only adequate defensively.

If Minnesota wants to throw a wrinkle at San Antonio and Victor Wembanyama, an athletic lineup featuring Naz Reid and Jaden McDaniels as the two bigs would certainly dial up the offensive pace.

Chris Finch has that personnel, and when he considers it, Randle’s workload could shrink further.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke has died, the team, his agency and the NBA said Tuesday. He was 29.

Neither the Grizzlies nor Clarke's agency, Priority Sports, provided any details about when, where or how Clarke died.

“We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of Brandon Clarke. Brandon was an outstanding teammate and an even better person whose impact on the organization and the greater Memphis community will not be forgotten," the Grizzlies said in a statement. "We express our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones during this difficult time.”

His agents wrote on social media that they were “beyond devastated” by Clarke’s death.

“He was so loved by all of us here and everyone whose life he touched,” Priority Sports said. “He was the gentlest soul who was the first to be there for all of his friends and family.”

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver expressed sympathies to Clarke’s family and friends and the Grizzlies organization.

“We are devastated to learn of the passing of Brandon Clarke,” Silver said. “As one of the longest-tenured members of the Grizzlies, Brandon was a beloved teammate and leader who played the game with enormous passion and grit.”

The National Basketball Players Association said: “This is an incredible loss for the brotherhood. We will remember Brandon not only for the immense joy he brought to so many throughout his career, but for the genuine friendships he built far beyond basketball.”

Clarke was arrested April 1 in Arkansas for speeding and possession of a controlled substance that was reportedly kratom, an herbal supplement promoted as an alternative pain remedy that becomes illegal in Tennessee as of July 1. He was released on bond a day later.

Clarke was the 21st overall pick out of Gonzaga in the 2019 NBA draft by Oklahoma, which dealt his rights to the Grizzlies, who already took guard Ja Morant second overall. Clarke joined Morant on the NBA's All-Rookie team in 2020, and the Grizzlies gave him a multiyear contract extension in October 2022.

He tore his left Achilles tendon March 3, 2023, in a loss to the Denver Nuggets in a showdown of the top two teams in the Western Conference. Injuries limited him to 72 of a possible 246 games over the past three seasons, including only two this season.

Clarke averaged 10.2 points and 5.5 rebounds over his seven seasons with the Grizzlies.

He had one more season left on his contract with Memphis and was due to earn $12.5 million, according to Spotrac.com. But the Grizzlies are in the midst of another major roster rebuild after going 25-57 after trading away stars Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. within the past year.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA