Traveling man: Dials hopeful

By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
At 5 p.m. on Father's Day, Terence Dials was 500 miles from his 2-year-old daughter and girlfriend, walking through Newark Airport in New Jersey, getting ready for the next day's workout with the Nets.
"It can get pretty tiring at times," said Dials, a Boardman High graduate. "I've been living out of a suitcase for the past month. I haven't been able to see my friends and family in Columbus and Youngstown.
"It's something I've got to do now to be cool for the rest of my life."
Dials, the Big Ten Player of the Year for Ohio State last season, had already worked out for seven NBA teams: Toronto, Milwaukee, Houston, Minnesota, Oklahoma City/New Orleans, Cleveland and Indiana. The week before, he spent eight days in Orlando for the pre-draft camp. After the Nets workout, he was set to go on a West Coast swing through Golden State, Seattle and Los Angeles.
"I've been just about everywhere you can imagine," he said. "It's fun to see different places, but yeah, it can wear on you."
Since graduating in March with his sociology degree, Dials' main focus has been on a night in late June in New York, when he may (or may not) hear his name called. Now he's just a few days away from Wednesday's two-round draft.
Hopes he will be drafted
"Everything's up in the air right now," said Dials. "I'd love to hear my name called and I think I have a good chance of getting drafted in at least the second round. But you never know."
Like all NBA prospects, Dials dreams of getting picked in the first round, when contracts are guaranteed. But Dials knows his chances of getting drafted, even in the second round, are questionable.
And he's OK with that.
"The draft is so crazy," said Dials. "When we had our rookie transition meeting at the end of [the pre-draft camp], they were telling us it's not bad if you don't get drafted.
"If you don't get drafted in the first round, it's almost better to be a free agent because you can try out with any team and they don't have your rights for two or three years. You can bargain a little bit."
A year ago, Dials' NBA prospects weren't as bright. He'd been a solid college player for the Buckeyes, but it wasn't until his breakout 2005-06 season that he really got the attention of league scouts.
The 6-foot, 9-inch, 260-pound forward/center averaged 15.3 points and 8.0 rebounds per game this season, leading the Bucks to the Big Ten title and an NCAA Tournament berth.
Has been getting ready
The season ended a few days sooner than expected -- Ohio State lost in the second round -- and Dials has spent the past few months in the gym getting in top shape.
Like most prospects, he's traveled around the country working out for different teams. Workouts include shooting and dribbling drills, two-on-two games with other prospects and other skill tests.
"[Scouts] can see things that don't show up on TV, like footwork, but one of the main things they're looking at is how competitive you are," he said.
Dials also made sure to conduct himself well off the court.
"They want to get to know you as a person, not just a player," said Dials. "Everything you do is watched, so as soon as the plane touches down, you've got to conduct yourself as a professional.
"You've got to keep your guard up and do everything the right way. Look people in the eye, shake their hand firmly. Everything's evaluated."
Spotted Larry Bird
One of his meetings was with Pacers GM Larry Bird. Earlier this year, he was with his longtime girlfriend and her brother at Conseco Fieldhouse for the Big Ten tournament when they spotted Bird.
"When my girlfriend's brother saw Larry, he went into shock," Dials said, laughing. "He went up to Larry Bird's son and said, 'Is that really your dad?' When he told him he was, he was just flabbergasted.
"I guess it wasn't quite as big of a deal to me. I've met a lot of great people, and Larry Bird is just one of them."
Dials, the son of Terence Dials Sr. and Judith Kimbrough, was in born in Detroit before moving to Boardman, where his mother still lives. He's probably going to watch the draft in Columbus with his girlfriend and daughter, Alivia.
"It's taken a toll on me, not getting to see them as much," said Dials, who has Alivia's name tattooed on the inside of his left wrist. "I've just gotta get through it."
scalzo@vindy.com