Bulls: Dalen Terry honors local legend with jersey number

The Chicago Bulls hosted an introductory press conference for the newly acquired Dalen Terry earlier today, allowing media to ask Arturas Karnisovas, Billy Donovan, and Terry himself questions directly for the first time in a long while.

One of the more interesting things we learned today was the story behind Terry’s new choice jersey number. Since the No. 4 jersey he wore at Arizona has been retired by the Bulls to honor the late great Jerry Sloan, Dalen would have to choose a new number to wear in Chicago.

He would eventually settle on #25, a tribute to former Chicago legend and Simeon star Benji Wilson. As a high school student at Simeon Career Academy, Benji would ascend to become the nation’s top basketball prospect. Unfortunately, his life would be tragically cut short due to injuries suffered in a shooting incident.

While this grim moment in Chicago sports history would be difficult for anyone to forget, Chicago Bulls rookie Terry has carried the story with him as he’s progressed through the ranks towards becoming a professional basketball player. Terry explains, “My uncle played with Benji, he was one of his best friends, he told me the story when I was, like, 10 years old. It really moved me.”

Chicago Bulls rookie Dalen Terry explains why he switched his jersey number to #25 in order to honor a former local legend, Benji Wilson.

Dalen also continued to elaborate on his decision to pick the number by explaining Bulls legend and fellow Arizona Wildcat alum Steve Kerr also wore No. 25 while playing in Chicago. This is particularly interesting because Kerr also shifted from No. 4 to No. 25 as his career progressed.

I’m sure no Bulls fans would complain if Terry continued to follow in Kerr’s footsteps by icing an NBA Championship victory with his clutch shooting down the road. But even if Terry isn’t that championship-caliber player just yet, it’s very promising to see a young guy buy into Chicago’s culture so early and show clear signs of wanting to make a difference here for the Bulls.