This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
In the NBA pre-draft process, small school guys are often an overlooked breed. If you didn't play at a major Division I school, the odds are stacked against you, if you hope to make your way onto various draft boards.
Terrence Drisdom knows this well. As a graduate of Cal Poly-Pomona, he's not nearly a household name. His older brother Tim is, as the former starting point guard at the University of Utah. But Terrence isn't. But he's ok with that. If there's a mantra in the Drisdom family, it lies in hard work.
And if Terrence Drisdom is to make the NBA, he knows that his road is going to be one that's less traveled. On Friday morning, Drisdom worked out for the Utah Jazz. His jumper was smooth. He got to the basket off the dribble, and made plays for himself and others. It was a workout that featured lottery hopeful Sam Dekker. One day, Drisdom hopes to be playing against Dekker for real.
"It was fine," Drisdom said of his audition. "I'm just blessed to have this opportunity. Coming from a D-II, a lot of guys don't get this opportunity. I just wanted to show I could prove something out here and try my best. I think I did that. I gave my all our there, and I'm just excited to be here.
Drisdom is different from his brother, who was a 6-foot-3 floor general. Terrence is 6-5, long, lanky and athletic on both ends. He's also over the years picked up on some of Tim's playmaking ability.
In his senior season collegiately, Drisdom averaged 16.5 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.7 assists per night. He was a two-time NCAA Division II All-American and led his team to a 24-7 record this past year.
At the professional level, Drisdom says he will try and play all three perimeter positions. It's that versatility that can set him apart from other prospects and move him further up the ladder. He will probably begin his career in summer league, and perhaps have to go to the NBA's D-League.
But an improved jumper, more strength on his frame and time can make him an NBA player. Drisdom believes that, and his family does as well.
"I'm probably a point guard and shooting guard mostly," Drisdom said. "I think I can create for other guys pretty well and create shots for myself. So, um, I think those are my two strongest points."
Tony Jones