The world of basketball is still reeling after 19-year-old basketball prospect Terrence Clarke died following a car accident in California on Thursday. Los Angeles Police Department Sergeant John Matassa has reported that Clarke ran a red light while driving "at a very high rate of speed" in San Fernando Valley on Thursday afternoon.
"The incident was captured on surveillance video. He collided with another vehicle that was preparing to make a left-hand turn. He struck the vehicle, hit a street light pole and ultimately hit a block wall," Matassa said.
"He was transported to Northridge Hospital and was later pronounced deceased as a result of the collision."
Clarke's mother was reportedly at his side when he passed away. His teammate and NBA prospect, Brandon Boston Jr., was also reportedly nearby when the accident took place.
Clarke was a young basketball prospect from the Boston area, who attended both the Rivers School and Brewster Academy. During the latter parts of his high school basketball career, Clarke earned scholarship opportunities from Memphis, Texas Tech, UCLA, Duke and Boston College. Clarke decided to play his college ball at the University of Kentucky. While in Lexington, the Boston native averaged ten points, two assists and three points per game. After his freshman season, he and his fellow Kentucky Wildcat, Brandon Boston Jr., declared for the NBA draft. The two were considered top 75 prospects by ESPN.
Beyond the court of play, Clarke was widely remembered as a young kid with a bright personality and brighter future. He will be remembered as someone who people "gravitated to" and someone whose "smile and joy" empowered others.
"I am absolutely gutted and sick tonight," University of Kentucky Mens' Basketball Coach John Calipari said.
"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."
NBA All-Stars Karl Anthony-Towns and Jaylen Brown offered their condolences to the Clarke family. His agent, Rich Paul, also offered kind words for his client and mentee. The Clarke family nor Boston Jr. have not yet issued a statement during this trying time.
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