NBA: 50 greatest players who aren’t in the Basketball Hall of Fame
50 greatest players who aren’t in the Basketball Hall of Fame: 46. Jason Terry
Jason Terry had one of the most interesting career arcs of the past 20 years. He was a top-10 draft pick after a decorated career with the Arizona Wildcats, during which he helped Lute Olsen and company win the 1997 NCAA Championship and became Pac-10 Player of the Year in 1999.
14 years later, Terry won an NBA championship to put a bow on his success—and he did so in a way that catapulted him onto this list.
Terry won Sixth Man of the Year in 2008-09, thus solidifying his status as one of the best Sixth Men of his time. He was a starter for the first eight years of his career, but he truly came into his own as the third guard on the Dallas Mavericks.
He was a high-volume scorer who could facilitate when need be. That much is proven by his elite—yes, elite—statistical combinations.
Over the course of his 19-year career, Terry poured in 18,881 points, dished out 5,415 assists, racked up 1,603 steals, and buried 2,282 three-point field goals.
As of this article, Terry ranks seventh all-time in career three-point field goals and 35th in steals. Even more impressive: He’s the only player in NBA history who produced at least 18,000 points, 5,000 assists, 2,000 three-point field goals made, and 1,500 steals.
Yes, the one and only.
Furthermore, Terry was one of the stars of the 2011 Dallas Mavericks team that upset LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh in the NBA Finals. Terry outscored James during that series, including his 27-point curtain call in the decisive Game 6.
Terry has his No. 31 jersey retired by the University of Arizona and could one day receive the same honor with the Mavericks.