No. 4 Terrence Shannon Jr.
Coleman Hawkins is looking to have a big year for the Illinois basketball program, but Terrence Shannon Jr. is also in the same boat.
Before last season started, the Illini managed to have one of the best transfer portal sessions in program history. We landed two of the biggest players in the transfer portal, and Shannon was probably the biggest of the additions.
In his first year with Illinois, Shannon would end up averaging 17. Points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.3 steals per contest. There were some pretty special moments in an Illinois jersey last season. Shannon won us some big games with his big-time play.
What needs to improve for Terrence Shannon Jr. to have a breakout season
I don’t think anyone is upset with how many points Shannon can put up. This kid is a walking bucket, and that is what helps him elevate the Illini at times. But there are some issues with his game that could still improve.
NBA scouts didn’t like something, which is why Shannon wasn’t climbing in the NBA Draft projections. I am not sure why Shannon pulled out of the draft process, but there are a couple of things I think he could work on to have a breakout season.
- Consistent 3-point Shooting
This issue is different than with Coleman Hawkins. With Hawkins, I want to see his overall three-point shooting improve. With Shannon, he is a good three-point shooter, but he isn’t nearly consistent enough in multiple ways.
There are nights when Shannon would knock down 8-of-9 from three-point range and lead Illinois to a win. But then he can lay an egg and go 0-of-8 in a two-game stretch. The ability is there for Shannon to be a solid 37%-40% three-point shooter. I also believe this has to do with consistent three-point shot selection.
- Consistent Engagement
In the one season he has played with Illinois thus far, I have noticed that there are large swaths of time when Shannon doesn’t seem engaged in the game. He is off in his own world while the team is playing.
When Shannon would snap out of it and become engaged in the game, then he could take over and dominate. There is a switch he can flip, and when he does, he is incredible. That switch is flipped off too often, though. That needs to change so Shannon can have a breakout season in 2023-24.