Celtics

Terrence Clarke, top Boston prospect who died in car crash, honored at 2021 NBA Draft

"To all of those who knew and admired Terrence, please know he will forever be part of the NBA family."

The NBA honored Terrence Clarke on Thursday at the 2021 NBA Draft. photo by Matthew J. Lee/Globe staff

July 29, 2021

The NBA honored late Kentucky guard and Boston native Terrence Clarke at the 2021 NBA Draft on Thursday following Clarke’s death in a car accident in April.

After the 15th pick, NBA commissioner Adam Silver called for a moment to recognize Clarke, who declared for the draft after his freshman season.

“Terrence was expected to be drafted tonight, but he tragically passed away in April following a car crash,” Silver said. “He was 19. His extraordinary talent, commitment and dedication to the game deserve to be honored on this stage.”

Terrence’s mother Osmine, his young brother Gavin, and his sister Tatyana Gray were in attendance. All three were called up to the stage.

“To the three of of you, and all of those who knew and admired Terrence, please know he will forever be part of the NBA family,” Silver said, as the family put on NBA hats. “… It is my honor to now announce that with the next pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, the NBA selects Terrence Clarke from the University of Kentucky.”

With the next pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, the NBA selects Terrence Clarke from the University of Kentucky. #LLTC5 💙🤍 pic.twitter.com/fJYvShrgK3
— NBA (@NBA) July 30, 2021

Clarke’s friends and family remembered him as an infectious personality and a motivated prospect.

“He was just hungry, man,” Clarke’s trainer Brandon Ball told Boston.com in April. “Hungry. He wanted to be the best. He wanted to put this city on his back and reach back for the younger generation. I think that’s why he connected with the younger generation so much. He wanted to put Boston on the map.”

Kentucky men’s basketball tweeted a tribute as well.

Fly high 5, you're an @NBADraft pick.

We love you, Terrence. #LLTC5 💙💙💙 pic.twitter.com/SxpHdCeTiR
— Kentucky Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) July 30, 2021

“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,” Kentucky coach John Calipari wrote after Clarke’s death. “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.”