5 Terrence Clarke

Terrence Clarke was born September 6, 2001, in Boston, Massachusetts, to Osmine Clarke and Adrian Briggs. A gifted 6-foot-7 guard, Clarke developed into a consensus five-star prospect at Brewster Academy in New Hampshire. His combination of length, athleticism and creativity made him one of the nation’s most highly regarded young players.

Clarke helped Brewster Academy win the 2019 National Prep Championship and led the Bobcats to a 34-3 record and another championship appearance in 2020 before the COVID-19 pandemic ended the event. He was named the NEPSAC AAA Player of the Year and earned first-team all-league honors. Clarke was also selected for the McDonald’s All American Game, Jordan Brand Classic and Allen Iverson Roundball Classic before choosing Kentucky over Duke, Memphis, Texas Tech, UCLA and Boston College.

Clarke arrived at Kentucky as one of the most celebrated members of the Wildcats’ 2020 recruiting class. A right leg injury limited him to eight games and kept him out of the entire Southeastern Conference regular-season schedule, but he showed flashes of the explosive ability that made him an elite prospect. He started six games and recorded 77 points, 21 rebounds and 16 assists, averaging 9.6 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.0 assists.

His most memorable performance came against Georgia Tech, when he scored a career-high 22 points, made three 3-pointers and handed out three assists. Clarke also collected 15 points and a career-best six rebounds against Richmond and opened his college career with 14 points, four rebounds, four assists and three steals against Morehead State. After returning briefly in the 2021 SEC Tournament, he declared for the NBA Draft and began preparing for a professional career.

Clarke died in an automobile accident in Los Angeles on April 22, 2021, at age 19. John Calipari remembered him as a beloved young man whose personality, smile and joy drew people to him. During the 2021 NBA Draft, Commissioner Adam Silver ceremonially selected Clarke and welcomed his mother, brother and sister to the stage, providing a poignant fulfillment of Clarke’s dream of hearing his name called on draft night. His promising career was tragically brief, but his spirit and memory remain an enduring part of the Kentucky basketball family.