Terrence Clarke, a freshman for Kentucky this past season, died Thursday following a car accident in Los Angeles. He was 19 years old.
On Wednesday, just one day before the fatal crash, Clarke and his Kentucky teammate Brandon Boston Jr. were among the six NBA prospects to officially sign with Klutch Sports and agent Rich Paul for representation.
Last month, when Clarke announced that he had declared early entry for the 2021 NBA draft, he said that he hoped to make his fans proud as he pursued his dreams.
Clarke was just about three months shy of realizing his lifelong goal of playing professional basketball before that opportunity was taken away from him.
His family, however, should still get the once-in-a-lifetime chance to hear his name called during this year’s draft.
The league afforded a similar honor to former Baylor big man Isaiah Austin back in 2014. Austin was unable to play in the NBA after learning four days before the draft that he had Marfan syndrome, which would put his health at extraordinary risk.
Between the 15th and 16th pick in the 2014 NBA draft, commissioner Adam Silver made Austin a ceremonial pick. He received a standing ovation as he walked across the stage.
Just last year, the WNBA also extended such an honor to Gianna Bryant and her teammates Alyssa Altobelli and Payton Chester after they were killed in a helicopter crash that claimed their lives as well as six others, including Kobe Bryant.
While these gestures won’t take the pain away or make the tragic loss any easier, you can see how much it meant for Gianna’s mother Vanessa. Clarke’s mother, who was reportedly by Terrence’s side when he passed, should get to experience that moment as well.
Vanessa Bryant thanks the WNBA for making Gianna an honorary draft pick and sends a message to WNBA draftees pic.twitter.com/PAh4Vrg2KQ
— gifdsports (@gifdsports) April 17, 2020
Clarke, who was a standout prep player in New England, developed a close relationship with several players on the Boston Celtics.
He was particularly close with NBA All-Star wing Jaylen Brown, who last night tweeted that the league should make Clarke an honorary draft pick in 2021.
Brown was not alone in this assertion, as many others had similar posts and calls for action following the tragedy:
@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
Hey @celtics, do the right thing and draft Terrence Clarke in the NBA draft second round and help his family with some financial security. Boston kid pic.twitter.com/hSoF4V1BEZ
— ☘️MOOSE☘️ (@MoooseSZN) April 23, 2021
Dear @NBA,
Terrence Clarke’s dream was to play basketball. His passion was basketball. He loved basketball. It would be an honor for him and his family if you could draft him in his honor, just like Isaiah Austin a couple years ago.
Make his dream come true. 🙏
— 𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐔™ (25-34 😩) ➐ (@ThaddyDaddySZN) April 23, 2021
The first name that Adam silver needs to call on draft night is Terrence Clarke
— Wizards/Bulls Stan (@heath_check) April 23, 2021
.png?w=600)
