INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – DECEMBER 01: Terrence Clarke #5 of the Kentucky Wildcats celebrates in the game against the Kansas Jayhawks in the State Farm Champions Classic at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on December 01, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Andy Lyons/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by ANDY LYONS / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
NBA draft prospect Terrence Clarke, a guard who played last season for Kentucky, died Thursday in a car crash in Los Angeles. He was 19.
The news was confirmed by Rich Paul, chief executive officer of Klutch Sports, which had signed Clarke to serve as his representation.
“We are saddened and devastated by the tragic loss of Terrence Clarke,” Paul said in a statement released to 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.”
According to WKYT in Lexington, Ky., Clarke was working out in Los Angeles with Brandon “BJ” Boston Jr., another draft prospect who played at Kentucky. Both signed with Klutch Sports on Wednesday.
Multiple media outlets reported that Boston was fine as he was in a separate car behind Clarke at the time of the fatal accident.
Per WKYT, the Valley Traffic Division of the Los Angeles Department stated that Clarke was driving alone in a car at 2:10 p.m. local time when the crash occurred. According to the police, he ran through a red light, struck a car that was turning left and then struck a pole and block wall.
The LAPD reported that Clarke wasn’t wearing a seatbelt properly, according to WKYT.
Clarke averaged 9.6 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.0 assists in eight games (six starts) for Kentucky last season. He missed most of the season due to an ankle injury, returning only for the Wildcats’ final game.
A Massachusetts native, Clarke was regarded as the year’s 72nd-best draft prospect, according to ESPN.
–Field Level Media