LOS ANGELES — Terrence Clarke, 19, a Boston native who was preparing for the 2021 NBA Draft after playing one season at the University of Kentucky, died Thursday following a car crash in Los Angeles, the university announced.
Clarke was popular at the Vine Street Community Center in Roxbury. He spent many hours on the court, practicing. He even told the Boston Globe back in 2019 that he’s been in the middle of shootouts, but if he stays in the gym, he plays basketball all day and has fun.
[ Local community reacts to sudden death of Terrence Clarke, a Boston native and NBA prospect ]
Clarke grew up in Roslindale and eventually went to prep school in New Hampshire. The 6-foot-7 inch shooting guard only played eight games at the University of Kentucky due to a leg injury, but he was still expected to be a first-round pick in the NBA draft.
Klutch Sports Agency just signed Clarke Wednesday and then confirmed that he died in a car crash the next day in Los Angeles.
“We are stunned by this sudden, heartbreaking tragedy,” said Mitch Barnhart, the athletic director for Kentucky. “Terrence was a young man who was so full of life and so full of promise. We hurt and grieve with his family, his friends, and his teammates and coaches, and our prayers are with all of them in this unimaginable loss.”
Clarke is survived by his three siblings – Tatyana Gray, Gavin Clarke and Madison Adrianne – along with his parents, Osmine Clarke and Adrian Briggs.
“I am absolutely gutted and sick tonight,” said John Calipari, the head coach for Kentucky basketball. “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.
“Terrence’s teammates and brothers loved him and are absolutely devastated. They know we are here for them for whatever they need.”
Some Celtics players knew him and were in shock to learn the news after their game last night.
“It’s tough news, man,” said Celtics guard Kemba Walker. “He was a very good kid, you know, just always smiling, always energetic, and he was about to get his opportunity too, my condolences to his family.”
Another member of the Celtics, Jaylen Brown, tweeted out a few pictures of Clarke last night saying, “NBA please let my lil bros name get called this year we need that !!Rip.”
Celtics Head Coach Brad Stevens just learned of Clarke’s on his way to the Celtics post-game press conference.
“To be honest, I was walking down the hallway when I heard this news about Terrence Clarke,” said Celtics Head Coach Brad Stevens. “Not sure how much I want to talk about the game when you consider it…a Boston kid. You know, I never met him, I know my son looks up to him. Hard to talk about a basketball game.”
Local leaders also expressed their grief. Representative Liz Miranda tweeted out “Sad day for Dorchester & Boston. Literally Boston’s best athlete. He had a bright future ahead in the NBA. Rest in Power Terrence. This young man was so talented. Condolences.”
Clarke told the Globe in 2019 no matter where basketball took him, he wanted to come back to the Vine Street Community Center. He said if he made it big, he wanted to return the favor.
>>>MORE: Police: Former Kentucky basketball player Terrence Clarke dies in LA car accident
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