Bulls: Dalen Terry makes strong first Summer League impression

After being passed on 17 times in the 2022 NBA Draft, Dalen Terry has made it his personal mission to prove his doubters wrong and become a top player from his rookie class. That tenacity isn’t exclusive to other teams though, as Terry brought his best stuff to the Chicago Bulls‘ first Summer League practice.

Terry was voted the “most competitive” of today’s practice, receiving vocal acknowledgment of his efforts not only by assistant coach John Bryant but also by teammate Patrick Williams. Dalen opened up on how support from Pat and the experience of his first practice affected him, “It gave me a little bit more confidence, actually, because he was here last year, he’s been through what I’ve been through. For him to do that is definitely a nod and respect.”

Not everything was so friendly, however, as Bryant told reporters in his post-practice interview that Terry and Williams were trash talking each other and exchanging some friendly competitive banter.

As the newest rookie of the Chicago Bulls, all eyes are on Dalen Terry as he strives to showcase his talent in the 2022 NBA Summer League.

While current roster mainstays Williams and Ayo Dosunmu are practicing with the Summer League team, they won’t be participating in the actual games as they prepare for the regular season. Instead, Terry joins recently signed undrafted rookie Justin Lewis as the players to watch during the upcoming four-game slate.

Marko Simonovic and Malcolm Hill are the two other players on the roster that actually played for the Bulls last season, and they’ll be looking to make a case for an expanded role this upcoming season. Ethan Thompson, Henri Drell, and Perrion Callandret have also received the bump from Chicago’s G League team to come to play in the Summer League.

Here’s a look at the Chicago Bulls’ full 13-man 2022 Summer League roster:

• Perrion Callandret
• Henri Drell
• Akoldah Gak
• Javon Freeman-Liberty
• Malcolm Hill
• Carlik Jones
• Justin Lewis
• Makur Maker
• Marko Simonovic
• Dalen Terry
• Ethan Thompson
• Sindarius Thornwell
• Justin Wright-Foreman

Terry will have the keys to steer this team through their Summer League schedule, looking to showcase his skills and make a case for why he deserves minutes in a competitive Bulls rotation. This won’t be a  make-or-break moment for Terry, but it will be the first of many obstacles he faces on the road to making a name for himself in the NBA.