Heaven Couldn't Wait for You

The Untimely passing of NBA draft prospect Terrence Clarke

Terrence Clarke, a former Kentucky Wildcats guard died after a car accident in Los Angeles.

According to ESPN, Los Angeles Police Department Sgt. John Matassa, who works in the Valley Traffic Division said Clarke was the sole occupant in the vehicle that ran a red light at a “very high speed” in San Fernando Valley area at 2:10 pm.

Matassa also told ESPN’s Ramona Shelbourne that the driver of the other vehicle, who was in a truck, escaped with no injuries. Clarke was driving a 2021 Hyundai Genesis and was not wearing his seatbelt properly.

He was only 19 years old.

His former coach at Kentucky, John Calipari shared his thoughts, "I am absolutely gutted and sick tonight. A young person who we all love has just lost his life too soon, one with all of his dreams and hopes ahead of him. Terrence Clarke was a beautiful kid, someone who owned the room with his personality, smile, and joy. People gravitated to him, and to hear we have lost him is just hard for all of us to comprehend right now. We are all in shock. Terrence's teammates and brothers loved him and are absolutely devastated. They know we are here for them for whatever they need. I am on my way to Los Angeles to be with his mother and his brother to help wherever I can. This will be a difficult period for all those who know and love Terrence, and I would ask that everyone take a moment tonight to say a prayer for Terrence and his family. May he rest in peace."

The Basketball community was stunned! Taking to Twitter to express their grief. LeBron James tweeted, “REST IN PEACE NEPHEW!!! #YoungKing.” Victor Olapido, “MAN THIS IS UNBELIEVABLE I WAS JUST TALKING ABOUT TERRENCE CLARKE’S GAME LAST WEEK SMH RIP YOUNG KING! #GoneToSoon.” Draymond Green, “Devasted, RIP T Clarke. Praying for his loved ones.” Donovan Mitchell of the Utah Jazz was close to Clarke as he referred to him as his big brother, he tweeted,” No way.”

A day before his untimely death, the UK guard signed to Klutch sports agency under Rich Paul. He posted his tribute via Instagram, “At a loss for words. Too young and too soon. We are saddened and devastated by the tragic loss of Terrence Clarke. Terrence was an incredible, hard-working young man. He was excited for what was ahead for him and ready to fulfill his dreams. Our prayers go out to Terrence and his family who ask for privacy during this difficult time.”

He grew up in the Boston neighborhood in Dorchester and was the best prospect to come out of the city in years, a consensus five-star player a year ago after finishing high school at New England prep school powerhouse Brewster Academy in New Hampshire. One of their famous alumni, Donovan Mitchell.

When news broke that Clarke was committing Kentucky, the Boston Celtics organization rallied behind him. He worked with Celtics superstars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. He also grew to have a personal relationship with Celtics veteran guard, Kemba Walker who spoke to reporters about his relationship with the young superstar after Thursday's win over the Phoenix Suns, “I did, yes. Yes, I did. Very well. Very well. Very, very, very tough. Very tough news, man. He's a very, very good kid. Just always smiling, always energetic. And he was about to get his opportunity, too. My condolences to his family. It's a tough time, man. That's really tough news to hear. I don't even know what to say. It's kind of tough. It's kind of mind-boggling to hear something like that." Jaylen Brown tweeted, “@NBA please let my lil bros name get called this year we need that.”