Silver said it was important that the teen be honored Thursday night, saying “His extraordinary talent commitment and dedication to the game deserved to be recognized on this stage."

During an interview with ESPN, Clarke’s mother Osmine said her son was ready and excited to one day be drafted.

"It's all he talked about, just going to the draft, like, 'Mommy, am I ready for this? This is big.' And I'm like, 'Yes, Terrence, you wouldn't be in this position if you didn't, if people didn't think you were this good,'” she said.

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