Kentucky basketball player and NBA hopeful killed in car accident

(KYMA, KECY/CNN) - 19-year-old NBA hopeful, Terrence Clarke, was killed in a car accident on Thursday afternoon in Los Angeles.

Clarke just finished his freshman season at the University of Kentucky and was in Southern California preparing for the NBA draft just prior to the accident.

Police say Clarke was traveling at a high speed when he ran a red light and hit a car traveling the opposite direction as he tried to make a left turn. The car then hit a pole and a wall.

There were two other passengers in the vehicle, but they were uninjured.

The Boston native was a 6'7" guard who averaged 9.6 points per game as a Wildcat. He was expected to play a significant role before an ankle injury in late December sidelined him for a majority of the season. He did return for a short time, playing in a game in the SEC Tournament.

Despite a small sample size, he made a good enough impression to scouts who projected the teenager to leap into the NBA and was highly respected by teammates, coaches, other players in the country and even some NBA players.

Clarke's head coach, John Calipari, made a statement after he heard the news.

"I am absolutely gutted and sick tonight," said Calipari. "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."

Clarke is survived by his parents and three siblings.