The NBA made a bit of history on Thursday by selecting Terrence Clarke as an honorary pick during the 2021 NBA Draft. The former Kentucky standout passed away a few months ago in a tragic vehicular accident that ended this young man's dream of playing in the NBA. League commissioner Adam Silver made sure to commemorate Clarke's memory during the draft night in what turned out to be an emotional moment.
There was not a dry eye in the room as commissioner Silver invited Clarke's family to the stage right in the middle of the draft ceremony:
The NBA paid a beautiful tribute to the beloved, Terrence Clarke 💙🙏🏾 #NBADraft
(via @NBA) pic.twitter.com/Xs3Vb6ntP5
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) July 30, 2021
It was truly a tear-jerking moment and players from around the league took to Twitter to share their reactions to the same. Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant was one of the first to come out with a heartfelt reaction to the Terrence Clarke tribute:
🙏🏽
— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) July 30, 2021
TC 🙏🏽🙌🏽🖤
— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) July 30, 2021
Charlotte Hornets stud Miles Bridges also tweeted out about the emotional moment, and so did the likes of Eric Paschall, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, and Onyeka Okongwu, to name a few:
R.I.P. T Clarke 💙💙
— Miles Bridges (@MilesBridges) July 30, 2021
— Eric Paschall (@epaschall) July 30, 2021
The @NBA i respect y’all for that! His family will forever appreciate this moment 🙏🏾🙏🏾
— R.HollisJefferson (@IAmCHAP24) July 30, 2021
This is so sad #TerrenceClarke 🖤
— Onyeka Okongwu (@BigO21_) July 30, 2021
That’s why we dream about and love the @NBA 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿#terrenceclarke
— Thon Maker ™ (@ThonMaker14) July 30, 2021
Fighting these tears back man, RIP TC5🕊💜 Thank you @NBA
— Nassir Little (@2ez_nassie) July 30, 2021
You made it! I know you up there smiling right now lil bro. Shoutout to the @NBA . Special moment! LLTC5💙🙏🏾
— Jarred Vanderbilt (@JVando) July 30, 2021
#LLTC5 🙏🏾💫🤞🏾
— Royce O'Neale (@BucketsONeale00) July 30, 2021
Terrence Clarke was just 19 when he was robbed of his future. It's an undeniably harsh and tragic fate this young and promising lad had to endure, and it only feels right that the league honored him on what would have been the culmination of all his hard work.
Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with Clarke and the family he left behind.
*Watch the 2021 NBA Draft LIVE with fuboTV (click for free trial)*
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