Dalen Lee Terry Bio
Dalen Lee Terry is an American professional basketball player who currently serves as a small forward and shooting guard for the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association. Selected with the 18th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls, Terry spent four seasons with the Bulls organization before joining the 76ers in February 2026. He played college basketball for the Arizona Wildcats from 2020 to 2022, where he developed into one of the premier defensive players in the Pac-12 Conference. Terry earned Pac-12 All-Defensive Team honors as a sophomore in 2022 while helping lead Arizona to a 33-4 record and conference titles.
Early Life and Background
Dalen Lee Terry was born on July 12, 2002, in Phoenix, Arizona. Growing up in the Phoenix area, Terry developed his basketball skills at a young age in one of the most competitive basketball environments in the country. His athletic abilities were evident early, and he emerged as a promising prospect during his formative years.
Terry attended Corona del Sol High School in Tempe, Arizona, where he played alongside notable teammates including Alex Barcello and Saben Lee. His performance at the high school level attracted significant attention from college programs across the nation. After his time at Corona del Sol, Terry transferred to Hillcrest Prep in Phoenix, where he elevated his game to a new level.
Path to Professional Basketball
During his two seasons at Hillcrest Prep, Terry established himself as a versatile playmaker with exceptional court vision. He averaged 15.8 points, 7.4 rebounds, 10.3 assists, 3.7 steals, and 1.9 blocks per game, showcasing the all-around skill set that would define his playing style. His ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor made him one of the most sought-after prospects in his class.
Terry played his AAU basketball for the Compton Magic, where he competed alongside future Pac-12 standouts including Johnny Juzang, Isaiah Mobley, Evan Mobley, and Onyeka Okongwu. This competitive environment against top-tier talent helped accelerate his development and prepared him for the rigors of major college basketball.
As a consensus four-star recruit in the 2020 class, Terry was ranked as the No. 46 overall prospect by 247Sports. He received scholarship offers from numerous programs including Arizona State, Arkansas, California, Colorado, USC, Utah, and Vanderbilt. On July 23, 2019, Terry made his college commitment, choosing Arizona and becoming the first commit in the Wildcats 2020 recruiting class. He joined a class that included Bennedict Mathurin, Azuolas Tubelis, and Kerr Kriisa, helping Arizona assemble the No. 7 overall recruiting class for 2020.
Dalen Lee Terry Career
Arizona Wildcats (2020–2022)
Terry arrived at the University of Arizona as a highly-touted freshman and immediately contributed to the Wildcats rotation. He appeared in all 26 games during his freshman season, starting 14 of them while averaging 4.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game. His highest-scoring performance came against in-state rival Arizona State, when he poured in 13 points while shooting a perfect 3-of-3 from three-point range.
Arizona was placed on a self-imposed postseason ban during Terry’s freshman year, preventing him from participating in the 2021 Pac-12 Tournament or the 2021 NCAA Tournament. This setback motivated Terry to work even harder during the offseason, and his development showed clearly in his sophomore campaign.
During his sophomore season in 2021-22, Terry started all 37 games for the Wildcats and averaged eight points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. He finished second in the Pac-12 in assist-to-turnover ratio at 2.84, sixth in assists per game with 3.92, eighth in field goal percentage at 50.2 percent, and ninth in steals per game with 1.24. His defensive prowess earned him Pac-12 All-Defensive First Team honors, establishing him as one of the conference’s marquee defenders.
Terry helped lead Arizona to a 33-4 record, capturing the 2021 Roman Main Event title, the Pac-12 Conference regular season championship, and the 2022 Pac-12 Tournament title. Arizona returned to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2018. In his final college game, Terry scored a career-high 17 points against Houston in the NCAA Tournament. On April 22, 2022, he declared for the NBA draft while maintaining his college eligibility, ultimately deciding to remain in the draft and pursue his professional dreams.
Chicago Bulls (2022–2026)
Terry was selected by the Chicago Bulls with the 18th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. On July 8, 2022, he signed his rookie-scale contract with the Bulls and joined the organization for the 2022-23 season. He also saw action with the Windy City Bulls, Chicago’s G League affiliate, during his rookie year to gain additional playing experience.
During his rookie campaign, Terry appeared in 38 games for the Bulls, averaging 2.2 points, 1.0 rebound, and 0.6 assists per game. The transition from college to the professional ranks presented challenges, but Terry remained focused on his development and absorbed lessons from veteran teammates and coaches.
In the 2023-24 season, Terry made significant strides in his second year with the organization. He appeared in 59 games, including two starts, and improved his averages to 3.1 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.4 assists. His defensive instincts and basketball IQ continued to make him a valuable rotation piece.
The 2024-25 season represented another step forward for Terry, as he played in 73 games with five starts while averaging 4.5 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 1.3 assists. His consistency and reliability earned him increased minutes throughout the season, and his ability to guard multiple positions made him a valuable asset in the Bulls’ defensive schemes.
In the 2025-26 season, Terry appeared in 34 games for Chicago before his mid-season departure, compiling averages of 3.5 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.3 assists during his time with the team.
Philadelphia 76ers (2026–present)
On February 5, 2026, Terry’s trajectory shifted when he was traded to the New York Knicks in exchange for Guerschon Yabusele. Later that same day, he was traded again to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for Jose Alvarado. The rapid sequence of transactions concluded when the Pelicans waived Terry on February 6, 2026.
Four days later, on February 10, 2026, Terry signed with the Philadelphia 76ers on a two-way contract. This opportunity allowed him to continue his NBA career with a franchise known for developing young talent. On April 10, 2026, the 76ers converted his contract to a standard NBA deal, reflecting the organization’s confidence in his contributions.
Playing Style and Strengths
Terry is known for his versatility on the basketball court, capable of playing both small forward and shooting guard positions. His greatest strengths lie in his defensive ability, court vision, and basketball intelligence. At Arizona, he demonstrated exceptional defensive instincts that earned him Pac-12 All-Defensive honors, and he carries that same approach to the professional level. His assist-to-turnover ratio at the college level showcased his careful ball handling and decision-making. Standing 6 feet 6 inches with a strong frame, Terry has the physical tools to guard multiple positions at the NBA level.
Notable Achievements and Milestones
Throughout his career, Terry has achieved several notable milestones. His selection as the 18th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft represented the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. The Pac-12 All-Defensive Team recognition during his sophomore season at Arizona highlighted his emergence as a premier defender in college basketball. He helped Arizona capture the Pac-12 regular season and tournament titles in 2022, marking the program’s return to national prominence. His career-high 17-point performance in his final college game against Houston demonstrated his ability to deliver in high-pressure moments.
Dalen Lee Terry Career Statistics
Terry has appeared in over 200 professional games across his NBA career with the Chicago Bulls and Philadelphia 76ers organizations. His statistical production has shown consistent improvement throughout his professional tenure, with his best season coming in 2024-25 when he averaged 4.5 points per game while appearing in 73 games.
Professional Career Highlights
During his four-plus seasons with the Chicago Bulls organization, Terry established himself as a reliable rotation player capable of contributing on both ends of the floor. His rookie season provided the foundation for growth, as he adjusted to the speed and physicality of NBA competition. By his third season, he was appearing in over 70 games with consistent minutes, demonstrating the durability and dependability that NBA teams value in role players. His mid-season move to Philadelphia in 2026 presented a new opportunity to continue his development with a different organization.
Dalen Lee Terry Education
Terry’s basketball journey included stops at two prominent Arizona high schools. He began his high school career at Corona del Sol High School in Tempe, Arizona, where his early promise attracted college attention. After transferring to Hillcrest Prep in Phoenix, he elevated his recruitment profile significantly. His success at Hillcrest Prep, where he posted impressive numbers across multiple statistical categories, positioned him for his collegiate career at the University of Arizona.
At Arizona, Terry played for the Wildcats under the guidance of head coach Tommy Lloyd. The university is located in Tucson, Arizona, providing Terry with an opportunity to compete in the Pac-12 Conference against some of the nation’s top college programs. His two seasons in Tucson shaped him into the player who would be selected in the first round of the 2022 NBA Draft.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024-25 NBA season represented Terry’s most productive season as a professional. Appearing in 73 games with five starts, he averaged 4.5 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game while shooting efficiently from the field. His increased role within the Chicago Bulls rotation reflected the trust the coaching staff placed in his abilities.
Throughout the season, Terry showcased the defensive intensity and basketball IQ that characterized his college career. His versatility allowed the Bulls to deploy him in various lineup configurations, and his ability to guard multiple positions provided valuable lineup flexibility. The experience gained during this season positioned him well for the mid-season transaction that would send him to Philadelphia.