In Memoriam: Terrence Clarke (2001-2021)

April 22^nd, 2021

By Alan Lu

Today is a really sad day in basketball.  We’ve received terrible news that former Kentucky freshman basketball player and 2021 NBA draft hopeful, Terrence Clarke died in a car accident in Los Angeles. He was a very talented basketball player that came in as a highly touted recruit, and he signed on to play for the Kentucky Wildcats for the 2020-21 college basketball season.  He was a consensus 5-star recruit, and he was also named a McDonald’s All-American.

Prior to the season, Clarke came in with lofty expectations, and he was projected to be a possible lottery pick in the 2021 draft before the season started.  Based on his preseason evaluations, he was a very athletic, skilled swingman that was projected to be a high-level scorer and facilitator in both college and at the NBA level.

Unfortunately, he had a tough freshman season as he only managed to play in 8 games, as his season was derailed due to a leg injury.  In those 8 games, Clarke averaged 9.6 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2 assists per game, and had made 42% from the field. Kentucky had struggled more than usual this year under head coach John Calipari, and they missed the NCAA Tournament for the first time since the 2008-09 season. Clarke had recently declared to enter the 2021 NBA Draft, and he was projected as a second round prospect. His season didn’t quite go as expected, but he was considered to be a talented, high-upside prospect for the NBA.

This is a really sad day in basketball, and it is really difficult to believe that he passed away at the young age of just 19 years old. Rest in peace, Terrence Clarke.  We at NBA Scouting Live mourn the loss of Terrence Clarke, and we send prayers and well wishes to Terrence Clarke’s family, friends, and the Kentucky basketball program.