Boston Native/Former Kentucky Guard Terrence Clarke Dies in LA Car Crash
It was a normal Thursday night in the Boston sports area. The Celtics were coming off a very good win against a strong Phoenix Suns team. We had the Bruins winning their 6th straight game in a 5-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres. Then there was the Red Sox playing and eventually losing a tough game to the Seattle Mariners. I was on the CGS twitch stream with the Into the Rafters boys. (Check out our twitch channel here!)
All of a sudden as we were wrapping up the stream, we got a message on our stream saying Kentucky guard Terrence Clarke died last night in a car crash in Los Angeles.
Terrance Clarke, a Boston native readying for the NBA Draft, killed in LA crash https://t.co/NMKnedCtrg
— Boston 25 News (@boston25) April 23, 2021
Now disclaimer here, I had NO idea who Terrence Clarke was before doing some research. But after diving in, I found out just how big of a loss he is going to be for the sports world.
Terrence Clarke’s Upbringing
Terrence Clarke was a local guy, a Boston guy. He grew up in Boston, MA and went to the Rivers School in Weston, MA. The 6’7 guard then did a post-graduate year at the powerhouse Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. After high school, Clarke committed to play for coach John Calipari and the University of Kentucky. Clarke committed to Kentucky while also having offers from other big Division I schools such as Boston College, Memphis, and Duke.
His Kentucky Career
Clarke didn’t light it up in is freshman season at Kentucky. He played in eight games, while starting in six of them. In those eight games, he averaged 10 points a game for the Wildcats. Clarke had announced that he would forego the rest of his college eligibility and declared for the 2021 NBA draft. Many were saying he would be picked in the draft.
Reactions from Many
RIP Terrance Clarke🙏🏽 praying for the Clarke family. Wow💔
— Tyus Jones (@1Tyus) April 23, 2021
Rest In Peace Terrance Clarke. I remember hoopin with him in the city when he was still in high school. He was destined for the league. Prayers up to him and his family 🙏🏽 gone way too soon.
— CJ McCollum (@CJMcCollum) April 23, 2021
MAN THIS IS UNBELIEVABLE I WAS JUST TALKING ABOUT TERRANCE CLARKE’S GAME LAST WEEK SMH R.I.P YOUNG KING! 🙏🏿💔 #GoneToSoon😢
— Victor Oladipo (@VicOladipo) April 23, 2021
Prayers sent to Terrance Clarke’s family & friends.
Hurts my soul hearing this news. 💔R.I.P 🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/R2B8XFleJK
— Enes Kanter (@EnesKanter) April 23, 2021
Spoke with Terrance Clarke over the years. He grew up in Boston & loved his city. This news is heartbreaking. Reading my texts threads with him over the years. Here is the first one 08/2019 ❤️
“Hey Mr. Biancardi, this is Terrence Clarke. Just wanted to reach out and say hello.” https://t.co/55Elt8Thsy
— Paul Biancardi (@PaulBiancardi) April 23, 2021
@NBA please let my lil bros name get called this year we need that !!RIP 💚 pic.twitter.com/gzxoGSaMtZ
— Jaylen Brown (@FCHWPO) April 23, 2021
As you can see, Clarke’s sudden death had a big impact on a lot of people. NBA stars such as Jaylen Brown, CJ McCollum and Victor Oladipo took the time to express what the loss meant to them. It’s very clear that they believed in this young man and thought he was going to be in the league very soon.
In Conclusion
RIP to a very special young man. He was somebody who loved his hometown city of Boston and was going to do big things in the NBA. Life is truly valuable everyone, do not take it for granted. Hopefully the Celtics draft Clarke, that would be the right testament to Terrence and his whole family.
-Al Nahigian (@BigAl2793)
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Feat. image courtesy of slamonline.com/