Memphis Grizzlies big man Brandon Clarke stood in the hallway at Kipp Collegiate Elementary school on Sept. 18, waiting on a signal to enter a classroom filled with anxious second-graders.

Before Clarke entered the room, the kids were instructed that they would be singing “Happy Birthday” to a Grizzlies player. The room erupted, waiting to see who would walk through the door.

Clarke, who turns 29 on Sept. 19, entered the room to cheers and claps while holding a large check in his hand.

After offering words of encouragement to the second-graders, Clarke presented a $1,500 check to go toward literacy awareness, books and resources. The Grizzlies also donated $2,000, combining for $3,500 to ARise2Read, a non-profit organization focused on helping kids enhance their literacy skills outside the classroom.

“Every time I get to talk to kids, I try to get that in their minds that school is important, teachers are important and grades matter,” Clarke said. “I couldn’t have made it here without locking in on reading, writing and all of that stuff.”

Clarke recently launched the Brandon Clarke Foundation and plans to help families struck by tragedies, moms and others throughout Memphis. He said starting a foundation has been on his mind for “about two years.”

As for his birthday, it will put a bow on what’s been an eventful summer for the seventh-year big man. Clarke took a trip to Japan, worked out extensively and got engaged. He said he doesn’t have any plans to celebrate since he isn’t a big birthday guy.

“This was a great present,” Clarke said. “This is all that I needed.”

Memphis Grizzlies’ Brandon Clarke donated $1,500 today at Kipp collegiate school for literacy awareness, books and resources through his recently launched Brandon Clarke foundation. pic.twitter.com/APScE1YBDp

— Damichael Cole (@DamichaelC) September 18, 2025Brandon Clarke injury update for start of 2025-26 Grizzlies season

On the floor, Clarke will be an important piece for the Grizzlies in the 2025-26 season. Not just because he’s one of the longest-tenured players on the roster, but Memphis will also be without Zach Edey at the beginning of the season due to a left ankle procedure.

Clarke is the next man up without Edey, but he’s also had his own recent battle with an injury. He suffered what the Grizzlies called a “high grade PCL strain” in March that caused him to miss the remainder of the season.

After the injury, the Grizzlies said that Clarke’s knee wouldn’t require surgery. Clarke said his knee feels good, and he expects to be ready to go this season.

“I’m ramping up right now,” Clarke said. “I feel great. I’m doing everything. Ramping up to play with my team on Day 1. I’ll be there.”

The Grizzlies’ first exhibition game is Oct. 6 vs the Detroit Pistons.

Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at damichael.cole@commercialappeal.com. Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC.