[The following scouting report is part of a series on potential 2024 draft prospects from Sports Business Classroom alumni.]

Terrence Shannon Jr.
Frame: 6’6″, 219 lbs
Position: Wing
Team: Illinois Fighting Illini
2024 Draft Age: 23
Stats via basketballreference.com and https://barttorvik.com/

Offense

Shannon was one of the best scorers in college basketball last season. As a senior, he led Illinois with 23 points per game, good for third in Division I. Shannon flashed scoring ability at all three levels, with confident shooting and relentless slashing. He also averaged 4.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists per 40 minutes last season.

He’s a tremendous athlete, possessing top-end speed and strength for his size, which allowed him to dominate in transition. Shannon’s explosiveness makes him a flat-out terror in the open floor. He can bully his way through contact and finish efficiently at the rim (65.5 percent in 2023-24). He’s also effective at getting to the free throw line, getting there 10.2 times per 40 minutes last season. Shannon shot 80.1 percent from the stripe as a senior.

Shannon needs to improve as a playmaker, prone to tunnel vision, which led to many avoidable turnovers. He’s not a great decision-maker in complex situations. As a result, Shannon finished his senior season with a paltry 1.2 assist-to-turnover ratio. He tends to rely on instinct more than feel for the game, which serves him well in transition but makes him less dangerous in the half-court. He’s much more effective once he’s built up a head of steam and can attack downhill. He has a quick first step and can beat closeouts to bend a defense. 

His swing skill will be three-point shooting, especially with Shannon lacking primary creation skills. He shot a respectable 34.7 percent from three, including 36.2 percent in his final season at Illinois. He also saw his three-point volume increase each season in college. Shannon is comfortable dribbling into his pull-up, as 39 percent of his three-point makes were unassisted his senior year. He’s also a capable spot-up shooter. His stroke isn’t always consistent, and his shot was streaky in college, but there is reason for optimism that Shannon can develop into an above-average shooter in the NBA.

Defense

Shannon has a 6’9″ wingspan—excellent wing size. He uses his length and athleticism to be a disruptor on defense. He aggressively hunts steals, especially on dribble-handoff or pick-and-roll scenarios (2.1 steal rate in college). This inclination helped him thrive in Illinois’s aggressive defense. However, his gambles can sometimes lead to him being out of position. His first instinct is to get out in transition, which hampers his defensive rebounding.

His physical gifts and attitude lend themselves to good individual defense. However, Shannon is also prone to lapses in concentration. He can sometimes get caught ball-watching and lose his man on backdoor cuts. When he’s locked in, he’s one of the better perimeter defenders in this class. 

Shannon played for some excellent defensive programs at Illinois and Texas Tech, which helped him become a more disciplined defender throughout college. His off-the-charts strength and his large frame made him tough to get by in college. Off the ball, he uses his length to clog passing lanes effectively. He doesn’t offer anything special as a rebounder, as he prefers to leak out in transition and receive outlet passes where he can use his elite speed. Shannon won’t have as much of a physical advantage at the NBA level, but he can still become a plus-defender as a pro.

Looking Ahead

Shannon flashed several translatable skills. His slashing, strength, and speed in the open floor are welcome additions to any team that plays up-tempo. On top of that, NBA teams adore athletic, long wings who can shoot.

Still, Shannon will be 24 when he makes his NBA debut, significantly reducing his upside. Furthermore, Shannon’s physical play style is reason to be concerned, as he won’t have such an athletic advantage in the NBA. If Shannon can progress into an above-average shooter and develop more polish overall, he can become a high-level reserve on a playoff team. He may be a late first- or early second-round pick, best suited to teams that play with pace and space.