How Chicago Bulls rookie Dalen Terry is bulking up ahead of his 1st NBA season (hint: crackers and peanut butter)

Dalen Terry left his first NBA summer league outing with an immediate lesson: it’s time to hit the gym.

Even against familiar competitors from his two years in college, Terry said the tournament underlined the physicality necessary to compete in the NBA.

“It definitely woke me up a little bit and made me realize I’ve got to lift some weights,” he said.

Terry’s final summer league game almost ended in disaster: a second-quarter slip that tweaked his hamstring. But the injury never scared him. His pain was minimal and although team doctors insisted he take a full week off, the rookie said he could’ve played another game within three days.

The experience emphasized the need for Terry to strengthen his body ahead of the new physical challenge in facing NBA opponents.

“I’m a skinny dude,” Terry joked. “You seen Pat (Patrick Williams)? I’m trying to be like Pat.”

Terry isn’t necessarily skinny, but with a lean 6-foot-7, 195-pound frame, he’s often undersized against bulkier opponents. Williams is an apt comparison for the gains Terry needs to make this year — while they stand at the same height, Williams weighs 20 pounds more even after slimming down in the offseason.

Although Terry’s weight isn’t unusual for a 20-year-old rookie, adding muscle will be key to winning individual battles against larger players while maintaining his own health.

For now, the Bulls are pumping Terry with crackers and peanut butter — creamy only, he made sure to emphasize — after every practice to bulk him up.

“I’m just trying to get stronger in all different types of ways,” Terry said. “Not necessarily where it shows, more where it comes to my body weight and being able to take a good hit and give one back.”

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On the first day of his first NBA training camp, Terry emphasized the same strengths of his game: high intensity and defensive pressure.

He spent the offseason focused on improving his jump shot — a key area of improvement for the entire Bulls roster after a frustrating shooting end to last season. But Terry’s game will always be centered around a supportive style of basketball focused on feeding teammates and disrupting opponents on defense.

After Tuesday’s practice, the rookie said he felt invigorated by coach Billy Donovan’s tone.

“Everybody got after it,” Terry said. “I feel like that’s right in my DNA.”

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Tuesday marked the first time Terry stepped on the court with many of his new teammates, including guard Zach LaVine.

While the rookie hopes to spend time picking the brains of veterans like LaVine and DeMar DeRozan throughout training camp, for now he’s enjoying the challenge of matching up against them on defense.

“Zach Lavine is very fast,” Terry said. “That’s the first time I’ve gotten to play on the court with him. His first step is impeccable. Tomorrow I’m going to try to get in front of that.”

Three weeks away from the start of the regular season, Terry said he hasn’t set any expectations for his role as the Bulls’ top draft pick.

The Bulls might need added depth at the wing position with Lonzo Ball sidelined indefinitely, opening up opportunities for Terry to make an early entrance. Last season showed any injury on the Bulls can thrust a rookie into an unexpected role after Ayo Dosunmu helmed the point guard position for the latter half of the schedule.

For now, Terry is focused on preparing his body to shoulder whatever load he’s handed.

“I’m just trying to get in where I fit in,” Terry said. “I’m young and I’m a rookie. There’s a lot of vets on this team. So my time will come when my time comes. Every day is just a different day and working in a better direction.”