2020 Second-Round Pick Tyrell Terry Retires

Tyrell Terry, the No. 31 overall pick of the 2020 draft, has announced his retirement from basketball in an Instagram post.

While I have achieved amazing accomplishments, created unforgettable memories, and made lifelong friends…I’ve also experienced the darkest times of my life,” the 22-year-old wrote as part of his explanation. “To the point where instead of building me up, it began to destroy me.”

Terry, who is 22 years old, went on to cite severe anxiety and the fact that he had “fallen out of love” with the sport.

To most, I will be forever known as a bust, a failure, or a waste of talent,” he continued. “While those may be true when it comes to basketball, it is the biggest failures in life that lead to the greatest success. There is more for me out in this vast world and I am extremely excited to be able to explore that. And for the first time, to be able to find my identity outside of being a basketball player.

I am eternally grateful to those who have believed in me and apologize to those that I have let down. But I’m headed down a different path now, one that will hopefully lead to happiness and being able to love myself again.”

Terry played one season of college ball at Stanford prior to being drafted, averaging 14.6 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 3.2 APG and 1.4 SPG on .441/.408/.891 shooting in 31 games (32.6 MPG). Scouts viewed him as one of the best shooters in his draft class, but had reservations about his slender frame and defense.

The 6’2″ guard was then selected with the first pick of the second round by the Mavericks. He only suited up for 11 games as a rookie in 2020/21, and was out for an extended period due to personal reasons.

Dallas waived Terry before last season started despite the fact that he had a good chunk of guaranteed money ($3.3MM) left on his contract. He later caught on with Memphis on a two-way deal, but only appeared in two games for the Grizzlies. He also played in 29 NBA G League games with the Memphis Hustle from 2020-22.

Hopefully Terry is able to find some joy again, as continuing his basketball career clearly was not in his best interest. We at Hoops Rumors wish him well going forward.

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