BOSTON — From the Celtics to a Roxbury community center, many people are remembering 19-year old Terrence Clarke, a local basketball star who was killed Thursday in a car crash.
Clarke played one season at Kentucky and was nearly a lock to be drafted into the NBA this summer.
Even though Clarke’s basketball career was soaring, he always came back to the Vine Street Community Center when he was home.
At 10 years old, Clarke began playing at the center in Roxbury, and it wasn’t pretty.
“Terrence came here, he couldn’t play a lick,” said David Hinton, the Vine Street Community Center Administrative Coordinator.
“Terrence came here, he couldn’t play a lick”- the administrative coordinator at the Vine Street Community Center said Terrence Clarke worked on his game and quickly developed into talented player. But he never talked about the NBA, his focus was on school and basketball. pic.twitter.com/vuPrGycnrZ
— Kelly Sullivan (@ksullivannews) April 23, 2021
But many people worked with him and Clarke quickly developed into a budding basketball star.
“And to see him transform like other kids into having a real skill set and a real talent is just an amazing thing,” said Hinton.
Clarke went on to play at a prep school in New Hampshire and then to one of the top basketball programs in the country.
“When he committed to Kentucky he gave us a call, he wanted to do a signing here,” said Hinton. “Unfortunately the building was being renovated and the contractors wouldn’t let us in.”
Terrence only played eight games as a freshman for the Wildcats 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.
Some Celtics players knew him and were shocked 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.”
The Celtics mourn the sudden loss of Boston native Terrence Clarke, who had just declared for the NBA draft. @boston25 https://t.co/LdECT19bW9
— Kelly Sullivan (@ksullivannews) April 23, 2021
For a player so determined to make it in the NBA, Hinton said he never talked about it. Instead, he said Terrence was focused on basketball and school, and always came back to Vine Street court whenever he was home.
“For Terrence, this was home too,” said Hinton. “Whenever he wanted to come workout he always came here, he always made this his home, he was comfortable here.”
Hinton has not reached out to Terrence’s mother yet. He wanted to give her some space. But once he does, he might talk about doing something in Terrence’s memory at the center.
Terrence, a Boston kid who shined brightly as a basketball star at Kentucky and was bound for the NBA Draft, had deep ties to @BCYFcenters Vine Street Community Center in Roxbury. He was an inspiration to so many other young people on and off the court.
— Kim Janey (@MayorKimJaney) April 23, 2021
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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