Emanuel Terry turns in stellar G-League season

After two years overseas, Enterprise native Emanuel Terry made his return to America playing for the Agua Caliente Clippers of the NBA’s G-League for the 2020-2021 season.

Terry played for the Turkish Teksut Bandirma of the Basketball Super League in 2019 and averaged 11 points and eight rebounds during the season. In 2020, Terry played for the Hapoel Jerusalem of the Israeli Premier League and averaged nine points and seven rebounds before signing with the Serbian Red Star Basketball Club of the EuroLeague. He averaged six points, four rebounds and one block during EuroLeague play before returning to the G-League.

After two years playing overseas, Terry returned to America signing a contract with the Agua Caliente Clippers – the Los Angeles Clippers’ NBA G-League team – where he played the 2020-2021 season. Terry turned in a stellar season averaging a double-double with 11 points, 10 rebounds, two assists and one block during the season. He was third in the league in offensive rebounds and sixth in total rebounds.

“I feel like it went pretty well and it was just a blessing to be able to come back to the states after almost two full years playing internationally,” Terry said. “It was a pleasure to be able to have my family see me play again, too.

“It was a great feeling and I feel like I was really focused and performed pretty well. I think I was even more coachable and was able to bring some some things I learned overseas to my game here and that helped out a lot.”

This was Terry’s second stint in the G-League after playing for both the Canton Charge and Sioux Falls Skyforce during the 2018-2019 season. He also played for both the Phoenix Suns and Miami Heat during the NBA season that year. In his two years in the G-League, Terry has averaged 11 points, nine rebounds and one block in 54 games.

Terry says that playing inside the NBA’s “bubble” in Florida was a great experience, as well.

“It was fun, I loved it,” he said. “Being around a lot of guys that are coming out of college it was kind of funny that a lot of them were thinking I was 29 or 30 years old.

“I was like, ‘Naw, I’m not that old yet.’ Being around those guys and the coaches and being able to play against some of the guys I played with and against in my first year in the G-League was really fun. Every game was really competitive and you could tell guys were looking for something greater than just playing basketball here and there. Every game, whether it was 11 a.m. or at 7 p.m., all the guys brought their heart and fight to each game.”

Terry said that playing internationally helped add to his game as he returned home.

“I think that was a huge move for me, for God to bless me with that opportunity,” Terry said of playing overseas. “My agent really worked overtime to put me in a position to be successful and continue to grow as a player. I 1,000 percent think that really helped me as a player.

“It was an experience, good and bad at times, but I’ve been to so many countries now. Being from Enterprise, Alabama to seeing Russia and Israel and Turkey and all of these different places was incredible and also learning the ins and outs of basketball overseas.”

Terry said that while he didn’t know much about Europe or other countries overseas going in, one of the most surprising things was the love for basketball over there.

“People think our love for football in the U.S. is crazy but you have no clue how it is to have a Serbian talk to you about basketball,” Terry said. “They love basketball and almost die for it over there.

“It’s very exciting to be over there, you couldn’t help but get better as a player. It was competition to the max every single night and the fans loved it so much. You were playing against guys that were in their 30s and literally making millions. I feel like I was able to make a name for myself and get better, too. There are just so many leagues overseas it blows my mind. It really is remarkable to see how much basketball is being played in the world.”

Terry said his goal now is to get on an NBA roster for the remainder of the NBA season but regardless, he will play wherever he gets the opportunity.

“Whatever the best option for me is, I’ll do,” Terry said. “I told my mom and I prayed to the Lord that I wanted to play in the NBA and I’ve done that. I think I’ve showed so much fight in myself and the growth I’ve shown as a person and as a player that I have plenty of game left.

“I’m 24 years old and there is plenty of life left to live, I’m healthy and I take care of my body and I’m confident (in myself).”

After the completion of the G-League season, Terry was able to come back to Enterprise and even get some workouts in with his cousin, current Enterprise High School star Elijah Terry.

“He reminds me of my brother,” Terry said of his cousin. “Me being away from them and seeing them from the last time it’s crazy how much they’ve grown, not just in their height but in maturity.

“They’re so willing to listen and lock in to everything I say, it’s a pleasure to be able to workout with them. It’s also great to be able to be someone for them to lookup to and to see someone that came from here and see where they can go.”

Terry also said that he loves seeing someone he grew up playing basketball with, Enterprise coach Rhett Harrelson, coaching his cousin.

“We were in the gym together back in the day playing at the rec center,” Terry said of Harrelson. “It’s crazy to see him coaching Elijah and he’s a really great coach.”