Two NBA Players Die

May 13, 2026, 22:55
AsiaSports

Introduction

The NBA says that Jason Collins and Brandon Clarke died.

Main Body

Jason Collins was 47 years old. He had a bad brain disease. He played basketball for 13 years. In 2013, he told the world he is gay. He was the first man in a big US sports league to do this. Many people liked him for his courage. Brandon Clarke was 29 years old. He died on May 11 in Los Angeles. He played for the Memphis Grizzlies. He helped children learn to read. He had a foundation to help schools. Police are looking at how Brandon Clarke died. They found drugs in his house. Doctors do not have the final answer yet. The San Antonio Spurs had a quiet moment for both men.

Conclusion

The NBA is sad. Police are still studying the death of Brandon Clarke.

Learning

🕒 Talking about the Past

In this story, we see a pattern used to describe people's lives. We use was and had to talk about things that are finished.

1. Describing a person's state (was)

  • Jason Collins was 47 years old.
  • Brandon Clarke was 29 years old.

2. Describing things someone owned or experienced (had)

  • He had a bad brain disease.
  • He had a foundation to help schools.

Quick Guide for A2: Now → I am / I have Past → He was / He had

Examples from the text:

  • Is → Was (The NBA is sad →\rightarrow Jason was 47)
  • Have → Had (They have an answer →\rightarrow He had a disease)

Vocabulary Learning

died (v.)
to stop living
Example:The old man died peacefully in his sleep.
old (adj.)
having lived many years
Example:She is an old friend from school.
brain (n.)
the part of the body that controls thoughts
Example:He has a healthy brain that helps him solve problems.
disease (n.)
an illness that makes you sick
Example:She has a disease that affects her heart.
basketball (n.)
a sport played with a ball and a hoop
Example:They play basketball after school.
gay (adj.)
having a love for people of the same gender
Example:He is gay and lives happily.
courage (n.)
the ability to face fear
Example:She showed great courage when she spoke up.
children (n.)
young people who are not adults
Example:The teacher helps children learn to read.
read (v.)
to look at words and understand them
Example:He likes to read books before bed.
drugs (n.)
substances that can make people sick or help them feel better
Example:The police found drugs in the house.
house (n.)
a building where people live
Example:She lives in a small house near the park.
answer (n.)
a reply to a question
Example:He gave a clear answer to the teacher's question.
moment (n.)
a short period of time
Example:At that moment, she felt happy.
sad (adj.)
feeling unhappy
Example:He was sad after the game.
death (n.)
the end of life
Example:The news of his death shocked everyone.