Dalen Terry explains what it'll take for a return to Arizona for 2022-23 season
Dalen Terry believes his defense and his versatility as a player make him an immediately intriguing NBA prospect.
The Arizona guard can return to the Wildcats next season if he chooses—he kept that door open when he declared for the 2022 NBA Draft—but he’s currently in Chicago with teammates Bennedict Mathurin and Christian Koloko taking part in the NBA Draft Combine. Asked by Turner Sports’ Andy Katz what will ultimately influence his decision to stay or return to the desert, Terry said he’s looking to see if a team will be straight-up with him.
“I’m definitely trying to find a team to fall in love with me. But they’re going to have to be transparent with me,” he told Katz. “I’m not playing in this 5-on-5 stuff, so if they want to see me they can sign me up for a workout. I ain’t ducking no smoke. We’re going to see how that goes.”
Dalen Terry on his decision process of whether or not he will stay in the @NBADraft or go back to @ArizonaMBB for @NBATV: pic.twitter.com/2xXOWyBxUe
— Andy Katz (@TheAndyKatz) May 19, 2022
Terry thinks he can be a first-round selection. If not, he’ll return to Arizona.
“I owe it to myself to be here,” he told reporters, according to SI’s Kevin Sweeney. “If I can sneak in there and be a sleeper, be a first-rounder, that’s what I’ll do. But if not, I’m going to go back to Tommy (Lloyd), we’re going to have a big smile and have a better year.”
Dalen Terry has one of the biggest stay-or-go decisions:
“I owe it to myself to be here. If I can sneak in there and be a sleeper, be a first rounder, that’s what I’ll do. But if not, I’m going to go back to Tommy [Lloyd], we’re going to have a big smile & have a better year.” pic.twitter.com/cWnAXhcZYr
— Kevin Sweeney (@CBB_Central) May 19, 2022
Terry rates as the 36th-best player on Kevin O’Connor’s Big Board over at The Ringer. The Athletic‘s Sam Vecenie and ESPN’s Jonathan Givony both predict Terry to go to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round with the 39th overall pick.
The decision becomes an interesting one. He has until June 1 to withdraw his name from the field and return to Arizona.