Today on KSR: Remembering Terrence Clarke, one year later
The unthinkable took place one year ago today. A young man with a larger-than-life personality and a player with superstar potential lost his life at just 19 years old. April 22, 2021, the day of Terrence Clarke’s passing. The former Kentucky guard was one day removed from signing with Klutch Sports out in Los Angeles and died tragically in a car accident.
Injuries limited his time at Kentucky on the court, averaging 9.6 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.0 assists in eight games, including six starts. Off the court, though, Terrence glowed with life and was a shining light for his teammates.
“His heart was overflowing with love for his family, his friends and his teammates,” John Calipari said after Terrence’s passing. “He was as caring of a person as I have ever coached. His enthusiasm and energy – not just for basketball, for life – are what we all hope to have in our journey. Terrence had figured that part out – that if you wake up every day with a smile on your face and a joy in everything you do, this life is beautiful.”
Every detail remains vivid from that day, that specific moment. It’s something that’s impossible to forget, where you heard the news for the first time. The feeling of your heart sinking knowing a kid with so much life left to live, a ceiling as high as any in recent memory at Kentucky. Terrence just had it. You knew he was going to be a star one day. He was made to be one. Injuries limited that stardom in Lexington, but the sky was the limit in the NBA.
Terrence’s name would be called in the 2021 NBA Draft — a beautiful gesture by the league to honor his life — but his physical stamp on the game of basketball tragically stops there. He had so much left to give the game, only scratching the surface as a player. The fact that we’ll never see that impact is heartbreaking.
His legacy, though, continues to grow. Flashy and confident, Terrence was a celebrity in his hometown of Boston from the moment he emerged as a young basketball star. Young kids in the area have looked up to him ever since. They still do.
“He was our hero. The city of Boston’s hero,” Terrence’s former AAU coach Todd Quarles told KSR last April. “… A lot of the players leaned on him. He was the iconic figure in our program. Terrence walked on water.”
Terrence’s life and legacy was later honored in his hometown, as the Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF) – Vine Street Community Center was renovated and redesigned in the former Kentucky guard’s name. He grew up playing at the gym, and now, the court has been enhanced and named the Terrence Clarke Memorial Court.
“I want to be that guy for everyone in the city,” the court reads, quoting a line from the former Wildcat. The midcourt logo also features a blue heart, basketball and ‘TC5’ written on the right.
Beyond the NBA’s honorary draft pick and Terrence Clarke Memorial Court, John Calipari and the Kentucky basketball program also honored Terrence to open the 2021-22 season at Big Blue Madness. The UK head coach paused during his annual state of the program address to celebrate the former Wildcat’s life with his family in town.
“In April, we lost a son, a brother, a young man with his whole life ahead of him,” Calipari said. “Terrence Clarke came into the gym every day with a smile on his face and a spirit about him that rubbed off on everyone he touched.
“… I’m so sorry Terrence didn’t have an opportunity to experience this in person, but I know he’s here in spirit tonight. We, again, the Big Blue Nation loved your son. You know what? Why don’t we show him how much we loved him.”
One year later, Terrence’s legacy remains and his life deserves to be honored. He was a talented player with endless potential, but even more so, he was a son, brother, friend and teammate.
#LLTC5
Shaedon Sharpe declares for the NBA Draft
Shifting gears a bit, Thursday was quite hectic, as Kentucky freshman guard Shaedon Sharpe announced he would be entering the 2022 NBA Draft while maintaining his college eligibility. The news came after ESPN reported Sharpe had actually graduated high school in May of 2021, thus making him eligible for the draft. His status was previously in question — with questions still remaining about how we got to this point.
“In all honesty, nothing could truly prepare me for the decisions I’ve had to make along the way, but God has placed special people in my life to help guide, support and instill confidence in me to help prepare for these moments,” Sharpe announced. “Through discussions with Coach Cal, my parents, my mentor, and long consideration and prayer I’ve decided to enter to my name in the NBA draft while maintaining my college eligibility.
“I’m not sure what my future holds beyond today, but I do know that I have to take this next step to officially go through the process to test the waters and receive feedback. I pray you all will understand this is not a decision I’ve taking lightly.”
It was a journey filled with contradicting statements from Sharpe’s camp, hesitancy from Kentucky’s side, and zero minutes played in Lexington for the 6-foot-6 guard.
KSR has a behind-the-scenes look at Sharpe’s decision, along with a thorough timeline of the process from start to finish.
Oscar Tshiebwe speaks to the media
Someone who will be coming back to Lexington? Oscar Tshiebwe, who announced his decision to return on Wednesday.
“God has told me He is not done with me yet,” Tshiebwe said. “So, I decided, and He told me He wanted me to go back and just to work because He’s not done with me in this place yet. So, I’ll be back again, so I’ll be here next year for Kentucky. I’ll be in the blue in Kentucky next year again.”
The consensus National Player of the Year averaged a team-best 17.4 points and a nation-leading 15.1 rebounds per game, shattering just about every single-season record he could get his hands on his first year in Lexington.
What’s next for the star center? Tshiebwe is set to speak to the local media for the first time on Friday, discussing his decision to return to Lexington and his goals for the 2022-23 season. The press conference will begin at 11:30 a.m. ET, with coverage to follow right here on KSR.
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