Kentucky shooting guard Terrence Clarke passed away on Thursday after sustaining fatal injuries during a car accident in Los Angeles, the University of Kentucky confirmed in a statement. Clarke was 19 years old.
WKYT in Kentucky reported that Clarke, who had declared for the 2021 NBA draft and was a potential second-round pick (ranked 72nd on ESPN’s board), had worked out with Wildcats teammate Brandon Boston Jr. before the accident occurred on Thursday afternoon.
The Valley Traffic Division of Los Angeles Police said that Clarke was the only person in the car at the time of the crash, per WKYT. He ran a red light going “at a very high rate of speed,” collided with another vehicle, then ran into a street pole and a block wall, according to police. Clarke was pronounced dead after being transported to Northridge Hospital.
“I am absolutely gutted and sick tonight,” Kentucky head coach John Calipari said in a statement. “A young person who we all love has just lost his life too soon, one with all of his dreams and hopes ahead of him. Terrence Clarke was a beautiful kid, someone who owned the room with his personality, smile and joy. People gravitated to him, and to hear we have lost him is just hard for all of us to comprehend right now. We are all in shock.”
Clarke only played in eight games for Kentucky as a freshman in 2020/21, as an ankle injury sidelined him for much of the college season. However, he was prepared to go pro, having signed with Rich Paul and Klutch Sports for representation.
“We are saddened and devastated by the tragic loss of Terrence Clarke,” Paul said in a statement, per ESPN. “Terrence was an incredible, hard-working young man. He was excited for what was ahead of him and ready to fulfill his dreams. Our prayers go out to Terrence and his family, who ask for privacy during this difficult time.”
Clarke grew up in Boston and had established with relationships with a handful of NBA players, including Celtics stars Kemba Walker, Jayson Tatum, and Jaylen Brown. They were hit hard on Thursday by the news of the 19-year-old’s passing.
“I did (know him), yes,” Walker said (via ESPN). “Yes, I did. Very well. Very well. Very, very, very tough. Very tough news, man. He’s a very, very good kid. Just always smiling, always energetic. And he was about to get his opportunity, too. My condolences to his family.”
We at Hoops Rumors also send our condolences to Clarke’s family and friends.
Rest in power Young man
Once a Cat, always a Cat. Rest easy young man.
R.i.p
RIP
RIP young man!
I hope he didn’t hurt the person in the other vehicle with his wreckless driving!
The other car passenger reported no injuries.
Just had to get that jab in there smh
The word is RECKLESS. Wreckless driving is what everyone should be striving for.
As insensitive as your take may come across, you are exactly right. Tragic and unnecessary accident, hopefully the other car’s occupants walked away without injury. With that said, I hope this young man’s family is able get peace after the grieving process is over.
Can you just quickly outline some necessary accidents for us? Just want context
There is a push starting in Boston to have the league create an honorary 31st pick so his family can hear his name called on draft night.
How would they phrase that?
“With the 31st pick in the NBA draft, the grim reaper selects Terrence Clarke, Kentucky”
I know Adam Silver isn’t a supermodel but Grim Reaper is a strong take
They did it for that on guy from Baylor that had a heart issue a few years back.
I wonder why he flew through a red light :(
I guess we’ll never know
We Will Miss You Brother
I wonder if he had a medical situation before the crash. High rate of speed going through a red light. Doesn’t sound like he had any control of the situation.
Or it sounds like a 19 year old. It’s a sad situation. He made a bad decision and paid with his life. I guarantee nobody on here can say they’ve never ran a red light.
Yeah give me a break now isn’t the time for conspiracy theories lol sounds like he made a tragic mistake.
It’s a cliche but still a reminder how fragile life is. Doesn’t matter if you’re a promising prospect or a loser HoopsRumors commenter. Appreciate the time you have and the people in your life.
RIP
Best not to even “wonder” out loud about these types of situations, if there’s more news to add, it will come out later.
RIP, what a senseless tragedy.
Started watching his high school stuff once he declared to Kentucky. Watched him every game at UK before he got hurt. Sucks to see RIP
Luke how about an embedded picture or picture of flowers. This site has a strange header for mobiles.
RIP
Why would you have a picture of flowers instead of a picture of the player?
IDK, something besides paragraphs. They are likely at funerals, obits, notices.
At the speed he was travellin’ just glad he didn’t kill anyone else, also might not be a bad thing he won’t be able to kill anyone else speedin’ like a madman (without the seatbelt on top of it, what a dreadful example for young ones)