On Thursday night, the basketball world lost an upcoming gem, and a family lost their 19-year-old. Kentucky Wildcats forward Terrence Clarke passed away last night, after a fatal car accident in Los Angeles.
Watch What’s Trending Now!
Just a couple of days back, Clarke had signed with Klutch Sports, as he declared for the 2021 NBA Draft. He was a few months away from accomplishing his dream of being drafted into the NBA. Unfortunately, it won’t happen now. But is there still a chance he gets drafted?
Last year, the WNBA had Gianna Bryant and her teammates Alyssa Altobelli and Payton Chester as honorary draftees after they passed away in a helicopter crash. To some it may seem meaningless, but it means the world to family. Gianna’s mother Vanessa Bryant was emotional after the WNBA honored her daughter.
Top Stories
Vanessa Bryant thanks the WNBA for making Gianna an honorary draft pick and sends a message to WNBA draftees pic.twitter.com/PAh4Vrg2KQ
— gifdsports (@gifdsports) April 17, 2020
Back in 2014, the NBA had a similar gesture to honor former Baylor Bears forward Isaiah Austin’s wishes. After declaring for the draft, Austin was forced to retire because of a health condition. So the NBA had an honorary pick between the 15th and 16th pick Austin. So fans will be hoping that the NBA also honors Clarke in a similar way.
Jaylen Brown and basketball fans believe Terrence Clarke should feature in the NBA Draft
Clarke was a Boston native and grew up supporting the Celtics. Because of that, he was close to Celtics young star Jaylen Brown, who was like a brother to him. Brown was devastated after learning about this news. Later he tweeted to the NBA in a plea to allow Clarke in the 2021 NBA Draft.
@NBA please let my lil bros name get called this year we need that !!RIP 💚 pic.twitter.com/gzxoGSaMtZ
— Jaylen Brown (@FCHWPO) April 23, 2021
Many Celtics fans want their team to draft Clarke with one of their second round picks. They usually used those picks to draft and stash so instead they could use it to draft Clarke and then the money could towards his family. But a few fans pointed out that Klutch Sports would take care of their family, so the NBA should do it themselves.
Clarke was a promising player who didn’t get to feature a lot for the Wildcats. Injury troubles restricted him to just eight appearances all season, but that was enough for him to convince scouts he was a promising player.
Let us keep Clarke and his family in prayers. And also his teammate Brandon Boston Jr, who was with him during the accident but fortunately survived.
ALSO READ – Bronny James, Trae Young and Other Players React to Tragic Passing of Kentucky Wildcats’ Terrence Clarke
The NBA mourns the tragic passing of Terrence Clarke, a beloved member of the University of Kentucky basketball program. Terrence was preparing to pursue his lifelong dream of playing in the NBA. We send our deepest condolences to his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/IEYJ1gPglQ
— NBA (@NBA) April 23, 2021
