Terrence Clarke (SEC Photo)
He hasn’t played since a non-effective appearance against Louisville on December 26 after he hurt his ankle, but freshman Terrence Clarke apparently is available to play Thursday in the Southeastern Conference Tournament if coach John Calipari needs him.
Calipari said Wednesday in Nashville that the training and medical staff came to him last week saying Clarke could participate. Calipari had him go through two days of individual workouts without limping. When he had no limp, Calipari let him scrimmage some with the team preparing for Thursday’s tourney game against Mississippi State.
“Does he pick us up or take us back?” Calipari said. “He has had a couple of great days.”
Calipari said Clarke has been the first one on the floor, the first one on the bus while he has been hurt.
“He wants to do this for the team,” Calipari said. “Maybe he plays, maybe he doesn’t.”
Calipari said Clarke, UK’s highest-rated freshman going into the season, understands there is no guarantee he will play. However, he said if a player just has an awful game, it might be time to give Clarke a chance.
“It’s all about team with me,” Calipari said.
The coach said Clarke told him if he did not play he was fine with that.
“I won’t change the rotation of what we are doing but there may be a point where I say let’s give him a shot and see how he is doing,” Calipari said.
The UK coach said the team was “encouraging” to Clarke when he started workouts again.
