Kentucky’s Terrence Clarke, 19, dies after car accident in Los Angeles while preparing for NBA Draft

Terrence Clarke, a former basketball player for the Kentucky Wildcats, died on Thursday following a car crash in Los Angeles. He was 19 years old at the time of the accident, and his lone season with the Wildcats was in the 2020-21 year.

It is extremely difficult for all of us to hear that he is lost, and it is now hard for us to understand.

May he find peace in his rest. I would like to ask everyone to take a moment tonight to say a prayer for his family and Terrence, and for all those who know and love him. This will be a difficult period for everyone. I am on my way to Los Angeles to be with his brother and mother, and I can help wherever needed.

He appeared in a total of eight games and made six starts. After being sidelined for more than three months due to an ankle injury, he returned to the SEC Tournament 2021 and recorded a loss of 74-73 in just 10 minutes. Despite missing most of the season, Clarke, one of the prized recruits of Kentucky’s 2020 recruiting class, signed with the team.

Clarke, who played for the Wildcats, had a single season before moving on and was in Los Angeles getting ready for the 2021 NBA Draft, where he had the potential to be selected in the first round.

He was taken to Northridge Medical Hospital later and pronounced dead. He collided with another vehicle while preparing to turn left, hitting a street light pole and a wall block. Sergeant John Matassa of the Los Angeles Police Department said that at approximately 2:10 p.M. Local time, the sole occupant in the vehicle, Clarke, ran a red light at a very high speed. This incident occurred in the San Fernando Valley area.

According to the police, Clarke was not wearing his seat belt correctly. The driver of the other vehicle involved in the accident did not report any injuries.

On Wednesday, Klutch Sports Group declared him as one of their prominent customers prior to this summer’s selection process.

Rich Paul, President and CEO of Klutch Sports Group, who was representing Clarke, expressed, “We are deeply saddened and heartbroken by the tragic passing of Terrence Clarke.” “He was an exceptional and diligent young man. He was enthusiastic about his future and prepared to achieve his aspirations. Terrence and his family, who request privacy during this challenging period, are in our thoughts and prayers.”