Terrence Clarke, a freshman guard for the Kentucky Wildcats this past season, died following a car accident in the Los Angeles-area on Thursday afternoon, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Clarke’s mum was at his side when he died. He was 19 years old.
“We are saddened and devastated by the tragic loss of Terrence Clarke,” Paul told ESPN in a statement. “Terrence was an amazing, hard-working young guy. He was eager for what was before him and ready to satisfy his fantasies. Our prayers go out to Terrence and his family, who ask for privacy during this challenging time.”
Clarke declared last month he was entering this year’s NBA draft and he’d signed with Klutch Sports.
Last year, Clarke played in the first seven games for the Wildcats but had been sidelined with an ankle injury that kept him out until the season finale against South Carolina. He finished the year averaging 9.6 points.
“As an adolescent, having the liberty to place on the Kentucky uniform and play facing the BBN was a lifelong goal of mine,” Clarke said in an announcement on social websites last month. “Although it had been hindered due to things out of my control, the experience is something I will stay with me forever. I have developed a lot with this experience and I will never take it for granted.”
A former five-star prospect from Boston, Clarke was a proposed lottery pick entering the season. He is listed at No. 72 at the latest version of ESPN’s top 100 best available prospects for the draft.
