Terrence Clarke, a freshman guard for the Kentucky Wildcats males’s basketball crew this previous season, died following a automobile accident within the Los Angeles space on Thursday, it was introduced.
Clarke was 19 years outdated.
Los Angeles Police Division Sgt. John Matassa, who works within the Valley Visitors Division, instructed ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne that Clarke was a solo occupant in a automobile that ran a pink mild going “at a really excessive price of pace” within the San Fernando Valley space of Los Angeles at roughly 2:10 p.m. PT.
“The incident was captured on surveillance video. He collided with one other automobile that was getting ready to make a left-hand flip. He struck the automobile, hit a road mild pole and finally hit a block wall,” Matassa stated. “He was transported to Northridge Hospital and was later pronounced deceased on account of the collision.”
Matassa stated the motive force of the opposite automobile, who was in a truck, didn’t declare any accidents. Clarke was driving a 2021 Hyundai Genesis, and he was not sporting his seat belt correctly, in response to Matassa.
Clarke’s mom was at his facet when he died, in response to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
“I’m completely gutted and sick tonight,” Kentucky coach John Calipari stated in an announcement. “A teen who all of us love has simply misplaced his life too quickly, one with all of his goals and hopes forward of him. Terrence Clarke was an attractive child, somebody who owned the room along with his character, smile and pleasure. Folks gravitated to him, and to listen to we have now misplaced him is simply arduous for all of us to grasp proper now. We’re all in shock.
“Terrence’s teammates and brothers beloved him and are completely devastated. They know we’re right here for them for no matter they want.
“I’m on my solution to Los Angeles to be along with his mom and his brother to assist wherever I can. This can be a tough interval for all those that know and love Terrence, and I might ask that everybody take a second tonight to say a prayer for Terrence and his household. Could he relaxation in peace.”
Former Kentucky gamers within the NBA additionally expressed their feelings about Clarke’s demise on social media.
My coronary heart is extraordinarily heavy proper now! ? HUG YOUR LOVED ONES! Prayers as much as my man Terrence Clarke’s Household! ❤️ MUCH LOVE BRO! #riptclarke
— Tyrese Maxey (@TyreseMaxey) April 23, 2021
As we speak is a tough day for our Kentucky Household…RIP Terrence Clarke ??
— Karl-Anthony Cities (@KarlTowns) April 23, 2021
So shut to creating your goals come true. Sorry this occurred to you lil bro. Praying for the household??? #LLTC
— Jarred Vanderbilt (@JVando) April 23, 2021
Clarke introduced final month that he was getting into this 12 months’s NBA draft and he had signed with Klutch Sports activities. The varsity stated in an announcement that Clarke was getting ready for the draft.
“We’re saddened and devastated by the tragic lack of Terrence Clarke,” Klutch Sports activities CEO Wealthy Paul stated in an announcement. “Terrence was an unimaginable, hard-working younger man. He was excited for what was forward of him and able to fulfill his goals. Our prayers exit to Terrence and his household, who ask for privateness throughout this tough time.”
This previous season, Clarke performed within the first seven video games for the Wildcats however was sidelined with an ankle damage that saved him out till the season finale in opposition to Mississippi State. He completed the 12 months averaging 9.6 factors.
Clarke was a projected lottery choose getting into the season. He was listed at No. 72 in the newest model of ESPN’s high 100 greatest out there prospects for the draft.
“As an adolescent, having the privilege to placed on the Kentucky uniform and play in entrance of the BBN was all the time a lifelong purpose of mine,” Clarke stated on social media final month. “Though it was hindered attributable to issues out of my very own management, the expertise is one thing I’ll preserve with me ceaselessly. I’ve grown so much with this expertise and I’ll by no means take it without any consideration.”
@NBA please let my lil bros identify get known as this 12 months we’d like that !!RIP ? pic.twitter.com/gzxoGSaMtZ
— Jaylen Brown (@FCHWPO) April 23, 2021
Clarke, who grew up within the Boston neighborhood of Dorchester, was the most effective prospect to come back out of the town in years, a consensus five-star participant a 12 months in the past after ending his highschool profession at New England prep powerhouse Brewster Academy in New Hampshire, the place Utah Jazz star Donovan Mitchell performed earlier than going to Louisville.
“We’re shocked and deeply saddened by the information of Terrence Clarke’s passing,” learn an announcement from the Nationwide Basketball Gamers Affiliation. “He was an excellent expertise, a pleasure to those that knew and beloved him and was quickly to hitch our Brotherhood. We ship our condolences to and place arms round Terrence’s household and mates throughout this very tough time. Relaxation In Peace, Brother.”
Clarke’s dedication to Kentucky within the fall of 2019 was big information in Boston, and in consequence introduced him in touch with members of the Boston Celtics. After Thursday’s win over the Phoenix Suns, Celtics star Kemba Walker stated he had gotten to know Clarke, who labored out with Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum up to now, and could not actually course of the information.
“I did, sure,” Walker stated, when requested if he knew Clarke. “Sure, I did. Very effectively. Very effectively. Very, very, very powerful. Very powerful information, man. He is a really, excellent child. Simply all the time smiling, all the time energetic. And he was about to get his alternative, too. My condolences to his household.
“It is a powerful time, man. That is actually powerful information to listen to. I do not even know what to say. It is sort of powerful. It is sort of mind-boggling to listen to one thing like that.”
ESPN’s Tim Bontemps contributed to this report.