With the season over for the Illinois Fighting Illini, all eyes on guard Terrence Shannon Jr. will turn to the NBA Draft.
Shannon is projected to be a lottery pick, but could jump to a single-digit pick in what multiple veteran NBA executives reportedly called “the worst draft they've ever seen.”
“Multiple veteran NBA executives are saying the same thing about this draft,” reporter Jeff Goodman wrote. “This is the worst draft they've ever seen.”
It will be difficult to compete with next year's draft class, which includes five-star recruit Cooper Flagg from Duke and wing ace Bailey from Rutgers. The 2023 draft also featured generational talents Victor Wembaneyama (San Antonio Spurs) and Scoot Henderson (Portland Trail Blazers). This season's group features French center Alexandre Sarr, Kentucky freshman Rob Dillingham and explosive wing Zachary Lizacher.
Shannon's most productive senior year was in the Big Ten and NCAA tournaments, where he averaged about 34 points. He also grew in the Illini's elite en route to his eight, with three of his four games in which he scored 20 or more points. These performances in the most pressured situations, along with the 23-year-old's strong experience, will likely garner attention from many NBA front offices.
NBADraft.Net wrote of Shannon: “A big-time scorer who scores points in a variety of ways…an absolute bully on the left wing…defenders opposite Shannon are at risk of being turned into posters… He seems to rip off the rim. He's one of the more ferocious players.” “The attacker and dunker in college basketball…a relentless attacker who's on another level in terms of strength compared to other players. In the NBA, he's especially strong on drives. It will continue to be his calling card.”
Anthony Passiola is an Illini Now contributor. Contact him at ampasciolla@gmail.com or on his Instagram @anthony.pasciolla.
