With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
NBA Ceremonially Drafts Terrence Clarke, A Rising Star Who Died In An April Car Crash
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver gives a memorial in honor of Terrence Clarke on Thursday during the 2021 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center in New York City.
()
Terrence Clarke might have been celebrating today.
Earlier this year, the promising basketball guard was preparing for the NBA draft after completing his freshman year at the University of Kentucky.
But his career was tragically cut short in April when he died in a single-car crash in Los Angeles at age 19.
Although Clarke would never get the chance to play for the NBA, the league still welcomed him into its ranks during its draft on Thursday.
Support for LAist comes from
Terrence Clarke of the Kentucky Wildcats celebrates in a game against the Kansas Jayhawks on Dec. 1, 2020, in Indianapolis.
(
Andy Lyons / Getty Images
)
Commissioner Adam Silver ceremonially drafted Clarke into the league in a tear-filled presentation attended by Clarke's mother, Osmine Clarke, and his two siblings at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
"His extraordinary talent, dedication and commitment to the game deserve to be recognized," Silver said, as Clarke's name and photos appeared on the event's giant screens. "He will forever be part of the NBA family."
Onstage, Osmine Clarke mouthed "thank you" to the crowd as audience members erupted in chants of "Terrence! Terrence! Terrence!"
Clarke played only eight games with the Kentucky Wildcats because of an ankle injury, according to the NBA, though many league scouts expected him to be drafted anyway.
After leaving the University of Kentucky, Clarke had signed with Klutch Sports, the agency associated with LeBron James and his agent, Rich Paul.
Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. 9(MDA1OTI3MjQ5MDEyODUwMTE2MzM1YzNmZA004))
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
What do stairs have to do with California’s housing crisis? More than you might think, says this Culver City councilmember. -
Yes, it's controversial, but let me explain. -
Doctors say administrator directives allow immigration agents to interfere in medical decisions and compromise medical care. -
The Palisades Fire erupted on Jan. 7 and went on to kill 12 people and destroy more than 6,800 homes and buildings. -
People moving to Los Angeles are regularly baffled by the region’s refrigerator-less apartments. They’ll soon be a thing of the past. -
Experts say students shouldn't readily forgo federal aid. But a California-only program may be a good alternative in some cases.
Best of LAist