Terrance Arceneaux’s Incredible Comeback
Terrance Arceneaux twists in the air, contorting his long frame to get to the hoop along the baseline, finishing the drive with a bank off the window. It’s a quick, confident move, one that puts one of the University of Houston basketball program’s most important comebacks in sharp focus. Little more than 10 months removed from tearing his Achilles tendon, Arceneaux somehow looks smoother, quicker, and even a little longer than he did before.
A Family Affair
Watching from the Fertitta Center stands, Eric, Lataisha, and Byron Arceneaux cheer with joy. This comeback has always been something of a family affair. As most things in Terrance Arceneaux’s basketball life are. Playing his first game with fans in the stands since tearing his Achilles in a December 16, 2023 game at Toyota Center is no small step. This Texas A&M matchup may technically be a mere exhibition game, but it’s a major moment for the Arceneauxs.
Overcoming Adversity
“It’s amazing,” Eric Arceneaux, Terrance’s dad, says. “To see it come full circle too. Especially because he got hurt playing against A&M. Then first game back out. . . God’s good. God’s good. He showed a lot of maturity. The time and work he put in when was off leading up to this. I just told him it looked like the game slowed down a lot for him. Right now he’s just fighting through this tightness (in the Achilles). Once he gets through that. . . It hasn’t been a year yet. So he’s ahead of schedule.”
A Key Player for the University of Houston
Kelvin Sampson’s Houston basketball program is right on schedule, heading into another season as a beyond legitimate national championship pursuer. “Among the best in the country when we played them last year,” Texas A&M coach Buzz Williams says of UH. “And I anticipate among the best in the country going into this season.” Houston blitzes a Top 13 A&M team 79-64 in this scrimmage while playing 13 guys, grabbing 19 offensive rebounds, blocking nine shots and hitting 14 threes. But it’s Terrance Arceneaux’s smooth and sure 16-plus minutes that may end up mattering most for a team chasing so much more.
A Swiss Army Knife on the Court
Terrance Arceneaux can be a Swiss Army knife problem solver for this Houston team, adapting to fit whatever is needed. The now 6-foot-6 Arceneaux hits two 3-pointers in his first stint on the court against A&M, and then starts using his lanky frame to get to the hoop and create openings in his second half run. In his No 23 Houston jersey, Arceneaux can sometimes look like he’s gliding through an opening.
Inspiration from Kobe Bryant
Arceneaux read Kobe Bryant’s book The Mamba Mentality, which delves into how Kobe attacked his own Achilles tendon tear recovery, during his rehab too. “I have an uncle who’s a big Kobe Bryant fan,” Terrance Arceneaux says. “The biggest ever. So just seeing his highlights and watching him when I’m over his house. I used to play the (video) game with him too. I was watching when (Kobe) tore his Achilles too. I’d seen that and I’d seen how tough he was. He shot the free throw and then he walked. That was crazy.”
The Road to Recovery
“Sometimes I would just close my eyes,” Arceneaux says. “Because I was like, ‘Man, I wish I was out there.’ I would tell my parents every day. ‘Man, I wish I was out there.’ ” Terrance Arceneaux does not need to close his eyes on the bench anymore. He is out there again, determined to show off aspects of his game that he feels like people haven’t even really seen yet from him in college. Better shooting. More confident dribbling and play making. Texas A&M is hit with glimpses of all three.
A Moment of Triumph
When this evening is done, Terrance Arceneaux heads for the stands to wrap his mom, dad, and brother up in hugs. There are no small moments in such a big comeback. “That’s who I play for right there,” Arceneaux says. “. . . Them being right by my side, keeping me company during that hard time I was dealing with. . . They actually made it easier. Just being there, got closer with my family. We learned a lot from each other during this period.
Conclusion
Terrance Arceneaux’s comeback is an inspiration to many. His determination and hard work have paid off, and he is now back on the court, playing the game he loves. With his family’s support and his own dedication, Arceneaux is ready to take on the challenges of the upcoming season and help his team succeed. As he continues to work on his game and overcome the remaining challenges of his injury, Arceneaux is sure to be a key player for the University of Houston and a role model for young athletes everywhere.
