When Dalen Terry stepped out of a NBA draft watch social gathering of greater than 100 family and friends in Phoenix, his boisterous pleasure zipped throughout two time zones — even via a Zoom name.
The Chicago Bulls chosen Terry with the No. 18 choose Thursday, including wing depth to their roster because the group appears to be like to construct round DeMar DeRozan for the 2022-23 season. Bulls common supervisor Marc Eversley mentioned the rookie’s infectious vitality was key within the group’s choice.
“He’s a tough kid, he’s competitive, he brings a winning spirit to the room,” Eversley mentioned. “He’s a ball of energy and I think we need that in the building every day. … We spoke to him about 30 minutes ago, and the kid was incredibly excited about being a Chicago Bull. He literally said to us that he would run here right now to get started.”
Despite persistently holding first-round draft inventory, Terry didn’t precisely leap off the stat sheet after two seasons with Arizona.
The 19-year-old averaged eight factors and three.9 assists in his sophomore season with the Wildcats, serving a utilitarian position that highlighted his ball motion and protection. But he wasn’t a key scorer for an Arizona group that completed with a Pac-12 championship and a Sweet 16 look within the NCAA Tournament, averaging solely 6.2 makes an attempt per recreation.
Terry provided a easy rationalization Thursday for his low capturing — “I pass the ball.”
At 6-foot-7, Terry will add size to the Bulls across the perimeter, an element the undersized roster was sorely lacking. Eversley emphasised Terry’s skill to defend and run the ground in transition, two important elements within the Bulls’ early success final season behind defensive guards Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso.
“My defense, my versatility are coming over immediately,” Terry mentioned. “Those are things I do every day. My energy, my leadership, my grit … make me who I am.”
Despite early projections inserting him additional down on the draft board, the guard impressed groups all through exercises. After one with the Portland Trail Blazers, Terry didn’t maintain again on confidence in his skill to carry out within the NBA.
“There’s going to be a redraft in 10 years and it’s going to be different,” Terry mentioned.
Although Terry mentioned he was “glad” to be taken No. 18 so he may find yourself in Chicago, he saved cautious monitor of each title referred to as earlier than his on draft evening.
“I remember everybody already,” Terry mentioned. “Trust me. I got it.”
Terry mentioned he was acquainted with the Bulls roster earlier than the group landed on the prime of his checklist of potential touchdown spots.
“I watched so much DeMar DeRozan this year, it’s crazy,” Terry mentioned, complimenting Zach LaVine as “the smoothest player ever.”
But the rookie was bought on the Bulls after a exercise in Chicago. Terry met with Bulls executives and coaches for dinner forward of the NBA mix, then underwent a exercise on the Advocate Center. Immediately after leaving the Bulls coaching facility, Terry mentioned he referred to as his agent and advised him he needed to be a Bull.
“Man, I’m so happy to be here,” Terry mentioned. “I feel like I fit in perfectly.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com