Bulls draft Arizona sophomore Dalen Terry with top pick
Arizona's Dalen Terry probably isn't well-known among Bulls fans, but he introduced himself after being selected No. 18 in the NBA Draft with a burst of enthusiasm.
Speaking on a Zoom call from his draft party at a Phoenix restaurant, Terry was nothing but positive about his future in Chicago.
"I worked out right before the combine," Terry said. "It was all love, honestly. It was a great time. I had a really good time actually there and I really wanted to be there.
"It's crazy, I called my agent immediately right after and was like, 'That's where I need to be.' It's great that they drafted me. I'm so happy man."
The 6-foot-7 forward is sort of a prototypical wing player. He averaged 8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.9 assists last season as a sophomore, shooting 36.4% from 3-point range.
If anything, Terry might be better known for his defense. He was named to the Pac-12 all-defensive team last season. Terry's wingspan was measured at 7-1 at the draft combine last month. The Phoenix native did not take part in the agility tests at the draft camp.
"He's going to bring versatility on both ends of the floor," Bulls general manager Marc Eversley said at the Advocate Center. "Defensively, I think he's going to be able to switch one through three. I think offensively, he's going to get out and run.
"I think last year early on, we had a lot of success when we created turnovers defensively and got out and ran. He's a capable 3-point shooter, I wouldn't call him a 3-point shooter. He just brings an energy and a vibe that I think he's going to fit really well within this gym."
Terry was probably drafted a little higher than he'd been projected. A couple of guys connected to the Bulls, Santa Clara shooting guard Jalen Williams and LSU forward Tari Eason were off the board when the Bulls were on the clock.
"I'm glad I went 18," he said. "I'm happy. I'm so happy; 18 was perfect. I have no regrets or anything. I wanted to go to the Chicago Bulls. I love it. I'm ready.
"I feel like I fit in perfectly. I'm a lengthy guard willing to do anything to win. Honestly, I watched so much DeMar DeRozan this year, it's crazy. Him getting to his spots, breaking other people's ankles. Zach LaVine, the smoothest player ever.
"(Arturas Karnisovas) came to Arizona one time, I met him. He came down to our practice preseason. When I had my dinner with him, when I worked out, it was great. It felt like a family already. Everybody was laughing. During my workout, I could just tell, I felt the energy in there."
Asked to describe his game, Terry admitted his off-the-dribble shooting needs to improve.
"My defense, my versatility is going to come over immediately," he said. "Those are the things I do every day. I believe also my energy, my leadership, all that; my grit - all them things that just make me who I am are going to keep me in a position and start tomorrow.
"I consider myself a basketball player. I play 1 through 3, maybe some four. I don't want to separate myself into one position, because I'm so versatile."
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