2024 NBA Draft: Terrence Shannon Jr. Scouting Report, Pro Comparison and Predictions

Terrence Shannon Jr. Full Scouting Report

School: Illinois

Nationality: USA

Age: 23

Position: SG/SF

Size: 6'6", 225 lbs

Terrence Shannon Jr. has drawn NBA attention since his time at Texas Tech. He kept coming back and ultimately maximized his stock during this final season at Illinois.

Though he's now one of the oldest prospects in the 2024 draft class, Shannon entered the NCAA tournament averaging a career-high 23.0 points per game. He led Illinois to the Big Ten Tournament championship, putting up 102 points through three games.

However, Shannon was suspended earlier this season after being charged in connection to an alleged rape this past September. An upcoming hearing in May could help determine where (or if) he'll get drafted.

NBA Role and Pro Comparisons

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MARCH 17: Illinois Fighting Illini guard Terrence Shannon Jr. (0) goes up for a shot over Wisconsin Badgers forward Steven Crowl (22) during the first half of the Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament championship game between the Wisconsin Badgers and Illinois Fighting Illini on March 17, 2024, at the the Target Center in Minneapolis, MN. (Photo by Bailey Hillesheim/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Projected role: Slashing/scoring wing

Pro comparions: Kelly Oubre Jr.

Shannon will feast mostly on transition, spot-up shooting, and ball-screen opportunities in the NBA. His creation skills aren't sharp enough for a potential top option, but his speed and shot-making should still translate to scoring in a secondary or bench-spark role that's similar to Kelly Oubre Jr.'s

Shannon won't offer much playmaking, so like Oubre, he'll be valued strictly for his ability to provide an extra scoring punch.

Draft Projection

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CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS - MARCH 05: Terrence Shannon Jr. #0 of the Illinois Fighting Illini goes to the basket while defended by Braden Smith #3 of the Purdue Boilermakers xd1 at State Farm Center on March 05, 2024 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

Draft ceiling: Lottery

Draft floor: Undrafted

A two-way wing with Shannon's athleticism and shot-making ability should have plenty of suitors. Scouts also admire his gradual improvement, and Shannon's handle, jump shot and finishing continue to get better.

He's played himself into the lottery discussion with scoring production and 2.4 threes per game to go with his explosiveness and defensive tools.

But it's impossible to confidently project Shannon's draft range until more information comes out about his rape charge.

Physical Tools and Athleticism

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CHAMPAIGN, IL - FEBRUARY 24: Illinois Fighting Illini Guard Terrence Shannon Jr. (0) and Illinois Fighting Illini Forward Dain Dainja (42) defend during the college basketball game between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Illinois Fighting Illini on February 24, 2024, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Shannon's 6'6" size, 225-pound frame and explosiveness mirror that of Boston Celtics wing Jaylen Brown. However, Shannon's 6'8" wingspan is slightly underwhelming.

He has the right speed and force with the ball to become one of the NBA's more potent transition scorers/finishers. While he has plenty of bounce, he's one of the most effective below-the-rim finishers in the draft (65.0 percent) thanks to his strength and coordination.

Positional size, strength and quickness also gives Shannon defensive versatility, although his lack of length could make it challenging for him to defend bigger wing scorers in the NBA.

Signature Strengths

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MARCH 17: Illinois Fighting Illini guard Terrence Shannon Jr. (0) celebrates scoring during the second half of the Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament championship game between the Wisconsin Badgers and Illinois Fighting Illini on March 17, 2024, at the the Target Center in Minneapolis, MN. (Photo by Bailey Hillesheim/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Attacking

Shannon looks like lightning in the open floor with how fast he can take a rebound or an outlet pass and blow by backpedaling defenses. He's a weapon with and without the ball on fast breaks.

In the half court, he has a quick first step off the catch and his dribble move. He slices through gaps and beats rim protectors to the rim.

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Improving shotmaking

After catching fire in the Big Ten tournament, Shannon had a career-best 68 threes through his first 28 games this season. Despite an unconventional pushing release, he's improved his range and shotmaking.

While he still goes through some inconsistent stretches, he's become a more versatile shooter, particularly with his pull-up game (40.9 percent) in the half court.

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Finishing

Shannon has excellent finishing tools thanks to his strength, athleticism and coordination. Aside from creating easy angles for himself at the basket, he drew 8.8 free-throw attempts per game, which speaks to how tough he was to stop at the rim without having to foul.

Weaknesses

Creation/playmaking

Despite dramatically raising his scoring average, Shannon still lacks the typical creation bag of top NBA options. He leans more on burst and rise-and-fire shotmaking than advanced dribble moves.

Shannon has also averaged fewer than three assists per game in all five of his collegiate seasons. That suggests won't be offering significant playmaking value in the NBA.

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Versatility

Since Shannon is a limited passer and rebounder, he won't have as much margin for error as a shooter. Even with a respectable 36.2 three-point percentage this season, he was streaky from outside.

Questions remain about how Shannon will impact games whenever his jump shot isn't falling.