Ex-Rebel Terry doesn’t expect to be drafted
One day after he graduated from UNLV, Curtis Terry experienced what he called a "freak accident" that could be a setback to his pro career.
Terry earned his degree in university studies, with an emphasis on journalism and physical education, on May 17. The next day, he rolled his right ankle playing basketball.
"I heard a lot of cracking and crunching, so I thought the worst right away," said Terry, who was shooting an unguarded layup and landed awkwardly in the Cox Pavilion practice gym. "It swelled up to the point where I couldn't walk on it for a week."
Already a long shot to be called in today's NBA Draft, Terry said his chances were hindered further by the injury. He suffered ligament damage to the ankle and had to cancel or delay some tryouts in the past month.
Terry, a 6-foot-5-inch point guard, has had four workouts, the latest being Monday with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He also visited Dallas, Phoenix and Seattle.
There are 60 picks in the two-round draft, and Terry does not expect to be one of them. The most likely scenario for him is to sign as a free agent and play for a summer league team.
"I'm not banking on being drafted. If it does happen, I'll be surprised," Terry said. "But crazier things have happened on draft night.
"I'm just hoping for the best. I'll try to get into a situation where I'll have an opportunity to make a team."
Terry started all 35 games for the Rebels last season and was third on the team in scoring at 11.1 points. He played in a Mountain West Conference-record 133 games in his career.
Terry has been working out in Atlanta with his half-brother, Mavericks guard Jason Terry.
Brigham Young junior forward Trent Plaisted and New Mexico senior guard J.R. Giddens, two former Mountain West stars, are projected to go in the second round, according to nbadraft.net.
JaVale McGee, a 7-foot sophomore from UNR, is expected to be a first-round pick.
Contact reporter Matt Youmans at myoumans@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2907.
