Pirate Preview: Terry Copeland Jr.

Published: Sunday, October 11, 2026

by Christian Oliveri

With a busy offseason on their hands, it was only right that the Seton Hall Pirates bring in a hometown star, Terry Copeland Jr.  

 

The 6’9” junior out of Orange, N.J. is coming off an historic season at Howard College. Copeland was named NJCAA Division I Men’s Player of the Year after leading the Hawks to a 33-4 season and claiming the National Championship, establishing himself as one of the top junior college players in the country as he delivered his best performances when the stakes were highest. 

 

During the tournament, he delivered back-to-back 30-point games, showcasing his ability to take over in the paint. He then carried that momentum into the championship, where he finished with 23 points and 16 rebounds.  

 

Accolades did not end there for Copeland. Throughout the Hawks run, he was named WJCAC Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year, All-Conference Team and Region V All-Tournament team, deeming himself MVP of the tournament, averaging 19.8 points, 7.9 rebounds per game, all while shooting an excellent 67.5% from the field. 

 

Prior to his time at Howard College, Copeland did not see much time at Northern Illinois, appearing in just one game. 

 

Before his collegiate career, in 2023-24, Copeland attended Legacy Early College in Greensville, S.C. where he put up 17 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game and was ranked top 25 in scoring in the Nike EYBL Scholastic League. Before transferring, he also played at Bergen Catholic. Averaging 14 points per game and earning First-Team All-Bergen County honors.  

 

Despite it seeming to be a tough task coming from the Junior College level to Division I, Copeland fits right into a revamped, Shaheen Holloway led team.

 

Power and control down low is what Seton Hall has been missing for the past two seasons, and Copeland brings that spark, which will make it easy for him to succeed this season. With his ability to back down bodies in the post and draw attention to the mid-range game, Copeland is a coach's dream for an offense.  

 

Seton Hall was in the middle of the pack in the Big-East rebounding category. A corralling Copeland, snagging nearly 8 rebounds per game shines light on this Pirates team that enjoys grabbing the ball off the rim and getting out to run and will provide an uptick on the stat sheet for the program.  

 

Christian Oliveri can be reached at christian.oliveri@student.shu.edu 

Posted in: sports,