'I didn't start playing basketball to be a college player': Bulls select Arizona guard Dalen Terry with No. 18 pick in 2022 NBA Draft

Bulls general manager Marc Eversley called Chicago's first-round draft pick a much-needed "ball of energy."

The Chicago bulls selected Arizona guard Dalen Terry with the No. 18 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft Thursday night.

"This is my dream," Terry said via Zoom. "I didn't start playing basketball to be a college player. I've always wanted to be in the NBA."

just a kid with a ball & a dream pic.twitter.com/mwfBXz2DP3

— Dalen Terry (@DalenTerry) June 23, 2022

The 19-year-old has great size and a tremendous defensive upside. He'll add depth at the wing around DeMar DeRozan for the 2022-23 season. 

During a meeting with the media after the draft, Bulls general manager Marc Eversley said that Terry's ability to turn defense into transition offense made him an ideal pick for Chicago.

“He’s a tough kid, he’s competitive, he brings a winning spirit to the room,” Eversley said. “He’s a ball of energy and I think we need that in the building every day. ... We spoke to him about 30 minutes ago, and the kid was incredibly excited about being a Chicago Bull. He literally said to us that he would run here right now to get started.”

Arizona Wildcats guard Dalen Terry (4) reacts in the first half against the TCU Horned Frogs during the second round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament at Viejas Arena. Mar 20, 2022; San Diego, CA, USA. Photo: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

The 6-7, 195-pound Phoenix native averaged eight points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game during his sophomore season. Terry was named to the Pac-12 All-Defensive Team and received an All Pac-12 Honorable Mention in 2021-22.

“He fits the kind of makeup that we want to bring in,” Eversley said. “He's a tough kid. He's competitive. He brings a winning spirit to the room. I think he's a ball of energy, and I think we need that in this building every single day. He's just got the perfect makeup in terms of a kid who's gonna come in and do the things every single day to try to get better. We're excited about that.

“We spoke to him about 30 minutes ago,” Eversley said. “The kid was incredibly excited about being a Chicago Bull. He literally said to us he would run here right now and get started. That’s just the kind of kid he is and we’re excited to have him.”

That excitement and energy was apparent during Terry's post-draft interview with media.

"Man, I'm so happy to be here," Terry said. "I feel like I fit in perfectly."