BleedGopher
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Per Jon K:
Once a long draft night was over for Terrence Shannon Jr. and he knew he was headed to the Minnesota Timberwolves, it was time for a conversation with his close circle of friends.
He was an All-American in his final year at Illinois, the center of the Illini universe. His support system was, understandably, excited about the realization of a dream. He may have fallen to No. 27 in the 2024 NBA Draft, but he was a first-round draft pick. A multimillion-dollar contract was right around the corner, and a pathway to stardom was opening up right in front of them.
Shannon could sense the jubilation, and the cart being put before the horse. He felt a reality check was needed.
“My last year at Illinois, I was the man, one of the best players in the country. I get it,” he said. “I told them, all that s— is out the window. I’ve got to prove myself again.”
The Timberwolves have high, high hopes for Shannon as he enters his second NBA season. They love him for the way he runs the floor with reckless abandon and attacks the rim with cruel intentions. They love him for his ability to pick up coaching quickly, including the comfort he has shown as a playmaker in the half court ever since they told him he needed to concentrate on making that a bigger part of his game. They believe he has more to show as a defender, and that his package of skills can help account for the loss of Nickeil Alexander-Walker, a critical bench player during two straight runs to the Western Conference finals.
Shannon is 6 feet 6, 220 pounds and, unlike most first-round draft picks these days, is already 25 years old. The physical tools are all there. But there is more to it with Shannon than that for the Timberwolves. The maturity that Shannon showed with his friends after the draft is the same level-headed approach they saw all last season, when he mostly sat on the bench, waiting for a real opportunity that never came.
There were only five games in Shannon’s rookie season in which he topped 20 minutes. There were only four times he got at least 10 shots. That can be excruciating for a first-year player, especially one on the older end of the spectrum like Shannon. He has little time to waste. And yet, the Wolves never saw even one eye-roll from him while he bided his time. They didn’t hear one whisper under his breath about not getting a chance.
There was a seven-game stretch in February when injuries forced Shannon into the rotation, and he delivered. When the minutes came, so did Shannon’s production. He averaged 13.7 points, 4.9 rebounds and shot 51 percent from the field, including a 17-point, 10-rebound performance in a comeback win in Oklahoma City.
www.nytimes.com
Howl Wolves!!
Once a long draft night was over for Terrence Shannon Jr. and he knew he was headed to the Minnesota Timberwolves, it was time for a conversation with his close circle of friends.
He was an All-American in his final year at Illinois, the center of the Illini universe. His support system was, understandably, excited about the realization of a dream. He may have fallen to No. 27 in the 2024 NBA Draft, but he was a first-round draft pick. A multimillion-dollar contract was right around the corner, and a pathway to stardom was opening up right in front of them.
Shannon could sense the jubilation, and the cart being put before the horse. He felt a reality check was needed.
“My last year at Illinois, I was the man, one of the best players in the country. I get it,” he said. “I told them, all that s— is out the window. I’ve got to prove myself again.”
The Timberwolves have high, high hopes for Shannon as he enters his second NBA season. They love him for the way he runs the floor with reckless abandon and attacks the rim with cruel intentions. They love him for his ability to pick up coaching quickly, including the comfort he has shown as a playmaker in the half court ever since they told him he needed to concentrate on making that a bigger part of his game. They believe he has more to show as a defender, and that his package of skills can help account for the loss of Nickeil Alexander-Walker, a critical bench player during two straight runs to the Western Conference finals.
Shannon is 6 feet 6, 220 pounds and, unlike most first-round draft picks these days, is already 25 years old. The physical tools are all there. But there is more to it with Shannon than that for the Timberwolves. The maturity that Shannon showed with his friends after the draft is the same level-headed approach they saw all last season, when he mostly sat on the bench, waiting for a real opportunity that never came.
There were only five games in Shannon’s rookie season in which he topped 20 minutes. There were only four times he got at least 10 shots. That can be excruciating for a first-year player, especially one on the older end of the spectrum like Shannon. He has little time to waste. And yet, the Wolves never saw even one eye-roll from him while he bided his time. They didn’t hear one whisper under his breath about not getting a chance.
There was a seven-game stretch in February when injuries forced Shannon into the rotation, and he delivered. When the minutes came, so did Shannon’s production. He averaged 13.7 points, 4.9 rebounds and shot 51 percent from the field, including a 17-point, 10-rebound performance in a comeback win in Oklahoma City.
Terrence Shannon Jr. isn’t at the top of the Wolves’ rotation yet — but he’s on his way
Terrence Shannon Jr.'s patience and perspective will set him free in Minnesota. "You just got to buy into your role," he said.
www.nytimes.com
Howl Wolves!!
hat on