Rodney Terry calls Max Abmas a 'total package guy'

In Rodney Terry’s first offseason as the official Texas men’s hoops head coach, his prize recruiting win came via the Transfer Portal with Oral Roberts guard Max Abmas.

During a four-year career with the Jackrabbits, Abmas had led ORU to two NCAA Tournaments, including one run to the Sweet 16 his sophomore year in 2021, the same season he led the NCAA in scoring. After three straight seasons averaging 21 points or more per game, the 5-11 super-scorer decided to take his talents elsewhere, and landed in Austin, where he’s starting to fit in perfectly.

Obviously, the scoring is his No. 1 asset as a hooper, but Coach Terry has gone out of his way to explain what a tremendous presence Max Abmas is on and off the court because of his demeanor.

“Oh man, Max is one of those total package guys, you know. He’s an elite player on the floor and he’s an incredible kid off the court,” Terry praised of his point guard at his press conference this week ahead of the LSU game. “He’s a smart guy, very likable guy, very personable guy in terms of, you know, being able to hold a great conversation,” he added.

Abmas didn’t hit the runway in a sprint with Texas, though, admits Terry.

“I think, early on, he was still trying to find his way a little bit with with our team and with our group still fully understanding what we needed him to do. And he’s been a marked guy his entire career in terms of being able to score the ball at a high level.”

He’s garnered overloaded defensive pressure his whole career, but having to carry a king’s share of the weight offensively against a Big 12 level of schedule is another challenge. But lately, Abmas has been on fire, averaging 22.5 points a game in the last four while shooting 42% from three and 65% from two.

After a conversation between Rodney Terry and Max Abmas from earlier in the year, Terry may be ready to declare that the Oral Roberts transfer is back to being that guy.

“I don’t know, I think during one of the games and stuff, you know, he was still trying to find his way a little bit and everything. And, you know, I’ll pull him over to the side a little bit and say:

“I want to see that guy, I’m ready for that guy right now. I need that guy to go ahead and come out of the phone booth and go ahead and be that guy. I’m ready for him. I know he’s there and I’m I’m ready for him. I want him. I want him, right.”

Over the last four ball games, Terry’s request was answered.

“Now, you know, he’s been that guy. He always gives you… ‘I got you, coach, I got you.'”

That’s the sort of connection you love to see between a coach his point guard.