Cross County, Arkansas Where the speed limit is a suggestion.
County, Arkansas (Where the speed limit is a suggestion, and the cargo is... interesting)
It seems the Memphis Grizzlies’ "Grit and Grind" mantra has taken a very literal, and very legal, detour into the Arkansas countryside. Forward Brandon Clarke was booked into the Cross County jail on Wednesday, and the charge sheet reads less like a stat line and more like a script for a low-budget reboot of The Fast and the Furious.
The "Arkansas Grand Prix" Package
While most players spent Wednesday preparing for the Knicks, Clarke was apparently busy auditioning for a getaway driver role. He was hit with a quartet of charges that suggest his Wednesday afternoon was significantly more eventful than a standard rehab session:
Trafficking a controlled substance (The "Big Kahuna" of the list)
Possession of a controlled substance (For the personal stash, perhaps?)
Fleeing in a vehicle while speeding (Because if you're going to do it, do it at 100 mph)
Improper passing (The cherry on top of the reckless driving sundae)
At 29 years old, Clarke is the Grizzlies' longest-tenured player alongside Ja Morant. One can only assume they share tips on how to keep the team's legal counsel on speed dial.
The Rehab That Wasn't
Clarke has had a rough year on the court, playing only two games this season due to a knee injury followed by a calf strain. The Grizzlies officially ruled him out for the remainder of the season last week, presumably so he could focus on his recovery—though I don't think "trafficking in Cross County" was the specific physical therapy Coach Tuomas Iisalo had in mind.
When asked about the arrest before Wednesday’s game, Coach Iisalo gave the classic, stone-faced: "I'm aware of the reports," which is NBA-speak for "I am currently screaming into a pillow in the locker room."
The Verdict
Clarke was released on Thursday afternoon, likely heading back to Memphis to explain to his agent, Mark Bartelstein, why he was playing "Smokey and the Bandit" an hour west of Beale Street.
With a $12.5 million salary guaranteed for next year, Clarke has plenty of cash for bail, but he might find the Grizzlies’ front office a little less "supportive" than usual. In Memphis, they like their players to be high-impact, just not in a high-speed chase kind of way.
Sanchez’s Bottom Line: If you're going to flee the police in a vehicle while allegedly carrying a "controlled substance," maybe don't do it in a county where the sheriff’s website is as efficient as a scout's stopwatch. Brandon Clarke is out for the season, and now, he’s just hoping he’s not out of the league.
