University of Kentucky confirms that Terrence Clarke died in car accident

The University of Kentucky has confirmed the tragic news: Terrence Clarke died on Thursday following a fatal car accident.

The incident happened in California, one day after Clarke signed a deal with Klutch Sports. Just 19 years old, he was preparing himself for the upcoming 2021 NBA Draft.

We are devastated to learn of our own Terrence Clarke's tragic passing. Our hearts are heavy for Terrence, his family and all of us who loved him.https://t.co/u81DDOszPa

— Kentucky Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) April 23, 2021

“I am absolutely gutted and sick tonight,” Kentucky head coach John Calipari said in a press release. “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.”

Despite missing most of the 2020-21 season due to injury, the freshman Clarke fought back to play in the season finale for the Wildcats against Mississippi State.

“We are stunned by this sudden, heartbreaking tragedy,” UK Director of Athletics Mitch Barnhart said. “Terrence was a young man who was so full of life and so full of promise. We hurt and grieve with his family, his friends, and his teammates and coaches, and our prayers are with all of them in this unimaginable loss.”

Clarke is survived by his parents, Osmine Clarke and Adrian Briggs, and his three siblings, Tatyana Gray, Gavin Clarke, and Madison Adrianne.