‘He’s a warrior:’ Rozier praised for commitment, results

PHOTO | TROY HULL

Charlotte Hornets guard Terry Rozier is the Charlotte Hornets’ most consistent player in 2022-23, averaging 21.3 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. “Just staying where my feet are and trying to do everything I can for this team,” he said.

Sometimes, the best ability is availability.

That’s what Terry Rozier has been for a Hornets team that’s been decimated by injuries to key personnel all season. From LaMelo Ball (ankle) to Gordon Hayward (hamstring) and Kelly Oubre (back), Charlotte’s struggles to field a healthy rotation of players has been a challenge. Rozier, though, is doing his part as Charlotte’s leading scorer at 21.3 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. All that as a 6-foot-1 combination guard.

“If you look at him for the year – he had the one injury where he missed 10 or 11 games – he’s a warrior,” coach Steve Clifford said. “He has played off the ball, on the ball, he guards primary scorers every night, he plays huge minutes, and he’s about winning. As much as any of them, it kills him when we lose.”

Rozier, who is in his seventh NBA season, usually has to do it all for the Hornets to compete for wins. For instance, against Cleveland Sunday in the second game in a back-to-back, he scored a team-high 27 points against his home state team to raise his scoring average to 17.7 for his career – the best against any opponent. The Shaker Heights, Ohio, native added four rebounds as well.

“Just staying where my feet are and trying to do everything I can for this team,” Rozier said. “It’s no excuses. This is our job – to get up and play basketball. Nobody really cares that we played (the night before) and we lost an hour and we played again at 5 p.m. (Sunday). This is what it is. This is what we signed up for.”

Rozier’s performance has been appreciated for a while by people who’ve seen him develop as a player.

“For me personally, I love to see it,” guard Dennis Smith Jr. said. “T-Ro, he’s a guy I was watching in high school while he was at Louisville. I was just a fan of his game. Then when he got to the league and I was in college, it was the same thing, so to see him balling right now, it doesn’t surprise me at all.”

Rozier’s veteran leadership, versatility and work ethic have been invaluable for a Hornets team that leans heavily on younger players.

“He’s come in here every day, and the days I want to do more, I go right to him – ‘I need you to help me today, I want to do more in practice,’” Clifford said. “‘I got it.’ He’s been incredible. I can’t say enough about him. It starts with this: he loves to compete. He likes the competition, he likes practice, he has a love for basketball, a passion. That, you can’t teach.”

Rozier, who joined Charlotte as part of the 2019 Kemba Walker sign-and-trade, has thrived as a Hornet. Although undersized, Rozier’s been a key contributor who has been dependable on both ends of the floor.

“I have no complaints,” Rozier said. “I just want to come here and be the best version of myself. I’ve got great teammates and coaches that allow me to do that.”

Said Clifford: “He’s 6-1, 6-2 – it’s a different world for a guy like him. There are still guys in this league that at least from the beginning that if they were 6-1, they wouldn’t even be close to NBA players. He’s different. He’s made himself into a terrific player. When you’re around him, even for a short period of time, you can see why he’s had the success that he’s had. … The load that he carries for the group has been just phenomenal.”

Smith concurs.

“I definitely salute him,” he said. “We’re down a lot of players, down two starters, and he’s stepping in and filling a big gap. I think everyone on the team appreciates him.”

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