CHATSWORTH, Calif. — Terrence Clarke, a 19-year-old former University of Kentucky basketball player was killed Thursday in a crash in Chatsworth, California.
The crash occurred about 2:10 p.m. on Winnetka Avenue near Nordhoff Street when Terrence Clarke drove through the red light at a high rate of speed and crashed into another car in the intersection, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
Security video of the crash showed Clarke's vehicle strike a light pole, then a brick wall.
Clarke was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead, police said.
Clarke played one season with the Wildcats and was preparing for the NBA draft at the time of his death.
"I am absolutely gutted and sick tonight," University of 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. We are all in shock."
Calipari said he was heading to Los Angeles to visit Clarke's mother and brother.
"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," the coach added. "May he rest in peace."
“We are stunned by this sudden, heartbreaking tragedy,” said Mitch Barnhart, UK Director of Athletics. “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, who recently signed with agency Klutch Sports, was a projected NBA Draft lottery pick entering the season.
"We are saddened and devastated by the tragic loss of Terrence Clarke," Rich Paul, CEO of Klutch Sports, said in 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."
Reports of Clarke's death sent shockwaves through the sports world Wednesday night into Thursday.
LeBron James shared a picture of Clarke on Instagram with the caption "REST IN PARADISE NEPHEW!"
Miami Heat legend and new co-owner of the Utah Jazz Dwyane Wade thanked Clarke for "being a light."
Karl Anthony-Towns, a UK alum, said it was a "rough day for our Kentucky Family."
Boston Celtics coach Brad Stevens devoted time in his post-game press conference Thursday night to talk about Clarke, who grew up in nearby Dorchester. Stevens said his son "looks up" to Clarke.
Clarke was a top high school prospect, one of the best to come out of Boston in a number of years, and his commitment to Kentucky was major news in the city, including among the Boston Celtics.
Boston point guard Kemba Walker said he knew Clarke "very well."
"Very tough news, man. He's a very, very good kid," Walker said. "Just always smiling, always energetic, and he was about to get his opportunity, too. My condolences to his family."
"It's a tough time, man. That's really tough news to hear," he added. "I don't even know what to say. It's kind of tough. It's kind of mind-boggling to hear something like that."
Clarke is survived by his parents, Osmine Clarke and Adrian Briggs, and his three siblings, Tatyana Gray, Gavin Clarke and Madison Adrianne.