Prospect Introduction: Terell Strickland (2019)

Tampa Catholic is going to look awfully different next season with Kentucky commit Kevin Knox and reliable role players Bentlee Sanders and Nick Giorgi graduating. This was a group that went 25-6 and fell in the Class 5A state title game, so expectations will still be high. That means rising seniors Tai Strickland, Messiah Turner, Tim Carter and Josey Davis will carry the load. Alongside them will be junior Terell Strickland and sophomores Kobe Knox and Alijah Harrison who will all have to grow up in a hurry. The Strickland's father Rod was a longtime NBA player and is a current assistant at USF. Terell, a 5'8", 135-pounder spent the majority of his sophomore campaign on JV, but he was in uniform for varsity late in the season. His older brother Tai had some big games the past two seasons for the Crusaders.

"Playing on JV and being the only sophomore for most of the season, I learned a lot about leadership and what it means to be a leader on and off the court," Terell Strickland told Prep Hoops Florida. "Over the season my jump shot improved a lot. My freshman year I wasn't known to be able to shoot at all, but by the end sophomore year I was known to shoot very well."

Strickland says he is expecting to strive in a key role for Tampa Catholic this season. He's focused on getting stronger, improving his shot and playing better defense this summer. He plays for the Florida Sons.

"Playing with the Florida Sons helps that a lot because we play a fast style offense and a press up defense," he said. "I like playing with them a lot because their style of play helps me improve some of the weaknesses in my game."

Strickland says he grew into basketball from the minute he was born because of his father, brother and sister all playing and loving the game. He called his passing and leadership his biggest strengths saying "if you're open I can find a way to get it to you." Strickland wants to improve his jump shot and become a more consistent threat on the perimeter this season. Coming from a deep basketball family, Strickland is going to earn a key role this season for the Crusaders. This is going to be a strong team in terms of guards with Tai Strickland, Turner and Carter serving as a starting trio. The youngest Strickland, Terell will have to prove his worth and I think he showed glimpses of that on JV this past season and in limited time on varsity. Film study: Strickland makes a free throw in the region quarterfinal and the Tampa Catholic bench loves it.