50 Facts About Terry Rozier

Early Life and Family

Terry Rozier's journey to the NBA began in Youngstown, Ohio, where he faced numerous challenges growing up.

1. Terry Rozier was born to Terry Rozier Sr. and Gina Tucker. His father was sent to prison for eight years shortly after his birth and was later sentenced to 13 years for his involvement in a robbery and kidnapping that led to the accidental death of an accomplice.
2. Rozier was primarily raised by his mother, Gina Tucker, and his grandmother, Amanda Tucker, alongside his brother and half-sister.

High School and Prep Career

Rozier's talent on the basketball court was evident during his high school years, setting the stage for his future success.

3. Rozier attended Shaker Heights High School in Shaker Heights, Ohio. During his senior year, he averaged 25.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 4.7 steals per game, leading his team to a 21–3 record and the regional semifinals.
4. In 2012, Rozier was ranked 74th in ESPNU's Top 100 Players list.
5. Initially, Rozier had to improve his grades and thus played at Hargrave Military Academy before joining the University of Louisville.
6. During his time at Hargrave, Rozier averaged 29.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game, leading the team to a 38–8 record. He also earned the 2012 Kentucky Derby Festival Basketball Classic MVP and placed second in the dunk and three-point contest.

College Career at Louisville

Rozier's college career at Louisville showcased his skills and prepared him for the NBA.

7. As a freshman at Louisville in 2013–14, Rozier averaged 7.0 points and 3.1 rebounds per game in 37 games, earning him a spot on the ACC All-Rookie Team.
8. In his sophomore year (2014–15), Rozier led the Cardinals in scoring with 17.1 points per game and was named second-team All-ACC. On March 30, 2015, he and teammate Montrezl Harrell declared for the 2015 NBA draft.

NBA Draft and Rookie Season

Rozier's entry into the NBA marked the beginning of an exciting professional career.

9. On June 25, 2015, Terry Rozier was selected by the Boston Celtics with the 16th overall pick in the 2015 NBA draft.
10. During his rookie season, Rozier received multiple assignments to the Maine Red Claws, Boston's D-League affiliate. He appeared in 39 regular season games for the Celtics, scoring a season-high seven points twice.
11. In his first playoff game, Rozier scored 10 points on 4-of-7 shooting against the Atlanta Hawks.

Rising Star with the Celtics

Rozier's time with the Boston Celtics saw him develop into a key player.

12. On November 24, 2017, Rozier scored a career-high 23 points in a 118–103 victory over the Orlando Magic. On December 18, he made a steal and go-ahead dunk with 1.5 seconds remaining that gave the Celtics a narrow 112–111 victory over the Indiana Pacers.
13. On January 31, 2018, Rozier logged his first career triple-double in his first NBA start, helping the Celtics to a 103–73 victory over the New York Knicks. He recorded 17 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists.

Trade to Charlotte Hornets

Rozier's move to the Charlotte Hornets was a significant turning point in his career.

14. In a sign-and-trade deal that sent Kemba Walker to Boston, Rozier was traded to the Charlotte Hornets in 2019. The three-year, $56.7 million contract given to Rozier was met with skepticism but proved to be a wise investment.
15. In his first season with the Hornets, Rozier averaged 18.0 points, 4.1 assists, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.0 steals per game. He set career marks in every major shooting category: 42.3% from the field, 40.7% from three, and 87.4% from the free-throw line.
16. Rozier was one of only three players to shoot 50% or better on four or more catch-and-shoot three-pointers per game. He also ranked in the 88th percentile for effective field goal percentage (eFG%) in pull-up shooting (54.8%).
17. His mid-range shooting was exceptional at 51%, placing him in the 98th percentile among wings. This was a career high for him and significantly better than his previous percentages from that range.
18. Among players with 100 or more field goal attempts in the 4th quarter and overtime that season, Rozier ranked first in eFG% at 64%.

Evolution as a Facilitator

Rozier's role evolved as he became a key facilitator for his team.

19. Known primarily as a shooter who can create space in a phone booth, Rozier has taken on a facilitator role over the past 10 games, averaging 8.2 assists per outing with a 3.4:1 assist-to-turnover ratio. He has also tied his career-high in assists three times.
20. As of the 2023-2024 season, Rozier is on pace for the best season of his career, averaging 23.1 points per game on 47.2% shooting accuracy, 38.1% from beyond the arc, and 86.4% from the free-throw line.

Trade to Miami Heat

Rozier's latest move to the Miami Heat has added a new chapter to his career.

21. In 2023, Rozier was traded to the Miami Heat, where he continues to play a crucial role as a facilitator and scorer.
22. Despite missing nine consecutive games with a groin injury and exiting a game against the Philadelphia 76ers after taking an elbow to the face, Rozier has been Charlotte’s most consistent piece, playing some of the best basketball of his career.
23. Forward Miles Bridges noted that Rozier is a true point guard who scores the ball really well, often getting overlooked in his facilitator role.
24. Rozier became the first player in franchise history with 30-plus points, 10-plus assists, and eight-plus three-pointers in a single game in a loss against Miami on December 11, 2023.
25. In that game, he totaled 34 points, 13 assists, and connected on 8-of-13 three-point attempts for a season-high.

Defensive Responsibilities and Salary

Rozier's defensive skills and contract details highlight his value to the team.

26. Rozier seamlessly toggles between putting pressure on the rim, creating shots for himself, and distributing to others, knowing that Charlotte has multiple shot-creators to spread the wealth.
27. Rozier understands the league dynamics, starting games knowing everyone’s spots and trying to get everyone involved while also taking advantage of defensive lapses to score.
28. Routinely asked to defend the opponent’s best perimeter player, Rozier’s production has matched his salary, making him the second-highest-paid player on the roster behind only Gordon Hayward.
29. Rozier is on a four-year, $96 million deal, with his salary set to fall behind LaMelo Ball’s once the former All-Star’s extension kicks in next season at $35.5 million per season.

Career Highlights and Legacy

Rozier's career has been marked by significant achievements and memorable moments.

30. From being a young piece of four straight playoff teams with the Boston Celtics to becoming the Charlotte Hornets’ total points leader during his time in Charlotte, Rozier’s career arc has been an interesting one to follow.
31. Rozier broke out in the 2018 postseason after stepping in for the injured Kyrie Irving. He registered a series-high 6.7 assists per game to go along with 17.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.1 steals over 36 minutes.
32. Going beyond the numbers, “Scary Terry” also embarrassed Eric Bledsoe with plays like this, calling him “Drew Bledsoe,” a reference to the former New England Patriots quarterback.
33. In their intense first-round duel, Rozier got the better of Bledsoe both individually and collectively as the Celtics won in seven games. He continued to taunt Bledsoe afterwards, showing up with a vintage No. 11 Drew Bledsoe jersey to the first game against the Philadelphia 76ers in the second round.
34. Rozier’s outstanding play continued, averaging 16.5 points, 5.7 assists, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game for the remainder of the playoffs on the way to an Eastern Conference Finals appearance.

Expectations and Performance

Rozier's performance has often exceeded expectations, making him a valuable asset.

35. Expectations were high for the Celtics entering the following season. With a roster including Kyrie Irving, Gordon Hayward, Al Horford, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart, Terry Rozier, and Marcus Morris, they had one of the most talented rosters in the league.
36. Despite the talent on the Celtics, Charlotte saw potential in Rozier and traded for him in a sign-and-trade deal that sent Kemba Walker to Boston.
37. The three-year, $56.7 million contract given to Rozier was met with skepticism but proved to be a wise investment as he promptly silenced all doubters by carrying the Hornets throughout the 2019-20 season.
38. In his first season in Charlotte, Rozier averaged 18.0 points, 4.1 assists, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.0 steals per game with career marks in every major shooting category — 42.3% from the field, 40.7% from three, and 87.4% from the free-throw line.
39. He was one of only three players to shoot 50% or better on four or more catch-and-shoot three-pointers per game. His eFG% on pull-up shots was 44.3% in the previous season, landing him in the 44th percentile.
40. His mid-range shooting was exceptional at 51%, by far the best of his career and good for 98th percentile among wings. This was a career high for him and significantly better than his previous percentages from that range.
41. His eFG% on such shots was 54.8%, ranking him in the 88th percentile.
42. Among players with 100 or more field goal attempts in the 4th quarter and overtime that season, Rozier ranked first in eFG% at 64%.

Recent Achievements

Rozier continues to impress with his recent performances and contributions.

43. Known primarily as a shooter who can create space in a phone booth, Rozier has taken on a facilitator role over the past 10 games, averaging 8.2 assists per outing with a 3.4:1 assist-to-turnover ratio.
44. He has tied his career-high in assists three times, showcasing his ability to distribute the ball effectively.
45. In a game against Miami on December 11, 2023, he totaled 34 points, 13 assists, and connected on 8-of-13 three-point attempts for a season-high.
46. Rozier seamlessly toggles between putting pressure on the rim, creating shots for himself, and distributing to others, knowing that Charlotte has multiple shot-creators to spread the wealth.
47. Rozier understands the league dynamics, starting games knowing everyone’s spots and trying to get everyone involved while also taking advantage of defensive lapses to score.
48. Routinely asked to defend the opponent’s best perimeter player, Rozier’s production has matched his salary, making him the second-highest-paid player on the roster behind only Gordon Hayward.
49. Rozier is on a four-year, $96 million deal, with his salary set to fall behind LaMelo Ball’s once the former All-Star’s extension kicks in next season at $35.5 million per season.
50. With his exceptional playmaking abilities and scoring prowess, Terry Rozier continues to be a vital piece for the Miami Heat, cementing his legacy as one of the most versatile guards in the NBA.

Terry Rozier: A Versatile NBA Star

Terry Rozier's journey from Shaker Heights High School to the NBA showcases his resilience and talent. Raised by his mother and grandmother, he overcame early challenges to shine in high school and college basketball. Drafted by the Boston Celtics in 2015, Rozier quickly made a name for himself with his scoring and playmaking abilities. His breakout moment came during the 2018 playoffs, earning him the nickname "Scary Terry."

A trade to the Charlotte Hornets in 2019 allowed Rozier to further develop his game, becoming a key player and consistent scorer. His move to the Miami Heat in 2023 continues to highlight his versatility and importance on the court. With career highs in points, assists, and shooting percentages, Rozier remains a vital asset to any team, proving his worth as one of the NBA's most dynamic guards.