A first-round honorary pick was awarded to former Kentucky guard Terrence Clarke during Thursday’s NBA draft.
The 19-year-old prospect died in a car accident earlier this year. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced Clarke as an honorary pick between the 14th and 15th picks in the draft. Clarke’s mother, sister, and brother were on hand for the announcement.
Silver said, “His extraordinary talent, commitment, and dedication to the game deserve to be recognized on this stage.”
Following an ankle injury that kept him out of Kentucky’s final eight games last season, the Boston native declared for the NBA draft in March. He averaged 9.6 points, 2.6 rebounds, and two assists per game while starting six of Kentucky’s eight games. He was projected to be a second-round pick by many.
“He was so ready for (the draft), so excited,” Clarke’s mother, Osmine Clarke, said in a videotaped interview on the ESPN draft telecast following the ceremony. “That was all he talked about, just going to the draft. ‘Mommy, am I ready for this? This is big.’ I’m like, ‘Yes, Terrence. You wouldn’t have been in this position if people didn’t think you were this good.’ ”
After suffering an ankle injury in December, Clarke’s freshman season was cut short. Kentucky’s 9-16 season ended with a loss to Mississippi State in the SEC tournament after he missed the entire regular season.
