CLEVELAND, Ohio – Cleveland State Men's Basketball Head Coach Dennis Gates has announced the addition of freshman guard, and Cleveland, Ohio, native, Demetrius "Meechie" Terry to the team's 2020-21 roster. Terry, who spent the 2019-20 campaign at DME, a sports academy in Daytona Beach, Fla., joins the men's basketball program as a walk-on.
"I'm very excited to welcome Demetrius Terry to our men's basketball family," said head coach Dennis Gates. "There's a lot of rich basketball talent right here in Northeast Ohio and I couldn't be happier that Meechie decided to play his collegiate basketball in his hometown of Cleveland. He's a tremendous athlete and competitor and will be a great representation of Cleveland State University in the classroom, on the court and in the community."
"I chose Cleveland State because I feel the coaches believe in me," said Demetrius Terry. "The coaching staff's belief in me makes it feel like a family. I also wanted to stay home and put on for my city."
Terry, a 2019 graduate of St. Edward High School in Lakewood, Ohio, owns career averages of 10 points per game, including a 47% clip from the field and 1.7 steals, in addition to leading the team in charges taken throughout his three varsity seasons. As a senior, the 6-1 guard averaged 13.6 points on 49% shooting from the floor and 1.8 steals, leading St. Ed's to the state semifinals for the second time in three years (2019, 2017). A two-time All-District selection, Terry poured in 20-or-more points on four separate occasions during his three-year stint and swiped at least three steals in 13 contests.
"Meechie Terry is one of the toughest players that has put on a St. Ed's uniform," said Eric Flannery, head men's basketball coach at St. Edward High School. "His relentless effort on the court is a contagious spark and I believe he is a great fit within the culture at Cleveland State."
Terry joins Northeast Ohio natives Jayson Woodrich, who ranks third in Beachwood High School history in total points scored (1,176), and 2018 Lake Erie Conference Player of the Year Yahel Hill on the Vikings 2020-21 roster.
The Vikings announced on April 17, 2020, the completion of their 2020 recruiting class, which ranks 86th in the nation, according to Rivals.com (as of July 27, 2020).
For information regarding tickets to the 2020-21 Vikings men's basketball season, call 216-687-4848.
Cleveland State is coming off of a 2019-20 season that saw seven league wins, the most since the 2014-15 season. The Vikings won three consecutive league games for the first time since the 2014-15 season, in addition to three straight non-conference wins for the first time since 2011-12. Head Coach Dennis Gates earned Horizon League Coach of the Year honors this past season, while forward Algevon Eichelberger was named to the league's third team.