One of the key offseason additions for Georgia Tech basketball was already part of the team: senior Lance Terry. After missing the entire 2023-24 season due to a calf injury, he was cleared to practice with the team in December, but chose to redshirt, saving his final year of eligibility for this season. “I hated missing the time, but it gave me a chance to view things from the coaches’ perspective rather than just as a player,” Terry shared on Friday. He gained insights into coaching strategies and has a deeper understanding of the game as a result.
Terry was set to play a significant role in the team’s plans for 2023-24, marking the first season under coach Damon Stoudamire. He even took the stage at the ACC media event in Charlotte in October 2023. However, he never made it onto the court due to a calf injury that began on his father’s birthday. After feeling pain in September and hearing a “pop” during a workout, he attempted to return in November but the injury persisted. Consequently, Stoudamire never got to utilize Terry’s contributions of 10.1 points per game and 38.8% shooting from beyond the arc.
“I love Lance—he’s a cornerstone of our program,” Stoudamire expressed. “He’s versatile and can impact the game on both ends. I can’t wait to have him back, whether he starts or comes off the bench; he’ll be playing a lot.”
Terry’s journey began at The Heritage School in Newnan, where he won a GISA state championship before transferring to Gardner-Webb. His junior year there was a breakout, averaging 14.3 points, while facing setbacks from injuries earlier in his career. After announcing his decision to join Tech in April 2022, he started 21 of 29 games in the 2022-23 season, matching his career high of 24 points in victories over Miami and Syracuse.
“I’m definitely stronger now, and my shooting has improved significantly since two years ago,” Terry noted. This season, he joins veteran guards Kowacie Reeves and Javian McCollum, along with sophomore starting point guard Nait George, forming a formidable rotation that Terry believes will challenge opposing defenses.
“Maintaining my body is key, but I’m just excited to finally be back on the court,” he said, acknowledging some first-game jitters. “I’ve waited a year and a half to get to this point, and I’m ready to go!”
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