Horrible news broke on Thursday: ex-Kentucky guard Terrence Clarke died in a car accident in Los Angeles at the age of 19 years old.
His passing sent shockwaves throughout the sports world — Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens (see below) heard about it before his postgame meeting with reporters and spoke about how his son looked up to Clarke, who grew up in Boston. Tweets and Instagram tributes from NBA and college basketball stars came in from everywhere. Clarke had declared for the 2021 NBA draft last month and might have been a second-round pick.
Here’s a roundup of the tributes, starting with the words from his former coach, John Calipari:
I am absolutely gutted and sick tonight. I ask that everyone take a moment tonight to say a prayer for Terrence Clarke and his family. May he Rest In Peace. https://t.co/a1E1gysxxi pic.twitter.com/1unTygk4Tt
— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) April 23, 2021
"It's hard to talk about a basketball game."
Brad Stevens reacts to the news of Terrence Clarke dying in a car crash.
Clarke is from Boston and is beloved in the community.
(via @celtics)pic.twitter.com/9MbZvXqqLZ
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 23, 2021
Rest Easy Terrence Clarke😞🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/yyAgoEIhcT
— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) April 23, 2021
Rest In Peace Terrence Clarke
Keep the Clarke family in your prayers 🙏🏾 https://t.co/I0nkTbEDIu— JJJ (@jarenjacksonjr) April 23, 2021
Rest In Peace Terrence Clarke 🙏🏽😢 absolutely devastating to say the least
— Cassius Stanley (@cassius_stanley) April 23, 2021
My heart is extremely heavy right now! 🥺 HUG YOUR LOVED ONES! Prayers up to my man Terrence Clarke’s Family! ❤️ MUCH LOVE BRO! #riptclarke
— Tyrese Maxey (@TyreseMaxey) April 23, 2021
Today is a rough day for our Kentucky Family…RIP Terrence Clarke 🙏🏽
— Karl-Anthony Towns (@KarlTowns) April 23, 2021
Damn. RIP Terrence Clarke 🙏🏾
— 🏁 Jamal Crawford (@JCrossover) April 23, 2021
Man 🙏🏾💔 https://t.co/I9fZi7pzVv
— 13am Adebayo💥 (@Bam1of1) April 23, 2021
T Clarke 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿
— TJ Warren (@TonyWarrenJr) 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
Just talked to you yesterday bro this dont feel real😓Rest in Paradise my brother T man🙏🏽
— 14 (@RjHampton14) 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
wayyy to soon 🤕🥺RIP brudda 🤧💕 tell ur loved ones u love em https://t.co/RU8rBIaTdw
— Melo (@MELOD1P) April 23, 2021
Gone way too soon man 💔 pic.twitter.com/bj3sbPefhZ
— Miles Bridges (@MilesBridges) April 23, 2021
Just wanted to prove everybody wrong… My Lil Brother 🚶🏾🙏🏾
— Hamidou Diallo (@hamidoudiallo) April 23, 2021
Devastated 💔💔💔 R.I.P T Clarke. Praying for his loved ones 🙏🏿🙏🏿
— Draymond Green (@Money23Green) April 23, 2021