2021 NBA draft prospect, friend of several Celtics, Terrence Clarke dies in accident

Dorchester native and friend of multiple Boston Celtics Terrence Clarke has died after a car accident in Los Angeles on Thursday afternoon, per multiple sources.

The 19-year-old University of Kentucky product had just declared for the 2021 NBA draft, and was in Los Angeles to work out with fellow 2021 draft prospect and college teammate B.J. Boston according to WKTY. Clarke reportedly ran a red light at high speed per the Los Angeles Police Department, and then hit a wall and traffic light without proper use of a seatbelt. He was later rushed to a local hospital, where ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports he passed with his mother at his side.

Clarke had been a frequent visitor of and friend to several Celtics in the last year, forging friendships with Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum and Kemba Walker among others.

Terrence Clarke, a Kentucky freshman guard headed for the NBA Draft, died following a car accident in the Los Angeles-area this afternoon, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul tells ESPN. Clarke’s mother was at his side when he passed on Thursday. He was 19 years old.

“We are saddened and devastated by the tragic loss of Terrence Clarke,” Clarke’s agent — Rich Paul of Klutch Sports — related to ESPN via a statement.

“Terrence was an incredible, hard-working young man. He was excited for what was ahead of him and ready to fulfill his dreams. Our prayers go out to Terrence and his family, who ask for privacy during this difficult time.”

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