MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Terrence Shannon Jr.’s journey to the NBA was longer than that of most first-rounders, together with a making an attempt final yr in faculty with an off-the-court problem that forged doubt over his skilled prospects.
Shannon landed with the Minnesota Timberwolves, a spot that certain appears like a great match.
The Timberwolves took Shannon out of Illinois with the twenty seventh total draft choose, their authentic choice, within the first spherical final week after making a commerce with San Antonio to acquire the eighth total choose for the rights to Rob Dillingham from Kentucky.
Shannon was discovered not responsible final month on a rape cost after a jury in Kansas spent lower than two hours deliberating. He’d been accused of sexually assaulting a lady in a bar final yr whereas on a street journey to attend a soccer sport, resulting in a suspension by the college that finally was halted by a federal choose’s ruling that his civil rights had been violated. Shannon testified on the trial he’d by no means seen the lady. His attorneys referred to as the case a “blind accusation.”
The seriousness of the state of affairs loomed over Shannon and the Illini all season, however they hardly ever wavered. Shannon, who was an All-Huge Ten first staff and All-American third-team choice by The Related Press, was voted the Most Excellent Participant of the Huge Ten Event after a three-day thrill trip at Goal Heart gave the Illini the title.
“It made me a greater chief,” Shannon mentioned Wednesday. “I simply gravitated towards my staff and my coaches extra, my household.”
The 2 rookie guards had been launched at a information convention within the Goal Heart atrium, after they every threw out ceremonial first pitches the evening earlier than at a Twins sport throughout the road.
The Timberwolves additionally rounded out their roster with an settlement Wednesday on a one-year, $3.3 million contract with free agent ahead Joe Ingles, based on an individual with information of the negotiation. The particular person spoke to The Related Press on situation of anonymity as a result of the deal had not but been finalized.
Ingles spent the primary eight seasons of his profession with Utah, the place he performed with present Timberwolves Mike Conley and Rudy Gobert. The 6-foot-9 native of Australia will be a part of his fourth staff in 4 years after taking part in for Milwaukee and Orlando the earlier two seasons.
When the accusation arose final December, Shannon for authorized causes stopped doing interviews regardless of being the star participant of a top-15 staff that reached the Elite Eight of the NCAA Event earlier than getting blown out by eventual champion UConn.
Two months in the past on the NBA pre-draft mix, he lastly broke his silence, although as a result of the trial was looming he stopped in need of discussing any topic past basketball.
“I really feel like I’m a very good child. I be certain all people’s good, and I simply care for all people round me,” Shannon mentioned then in Chicago.
The Timberwolves had been adamant in regards to the high quality of Shannon’s character. President of basketball operations Tim Connelly mentioned the staff did “a ton” of due diligence and was nothing however inspired in regards to the particular person and the participant it was getting.
“He was on the fallacious finish of a extremely unlucky state of affairs and his capability to play by means of that and play profitable basketball for an incredible coach in Brad Underwood, we simply assume brings toughness,” Connelly mentioned.
On a staff already established as a real championship contender that has all however one reserve — Kyle Anderson, who’s on his technique to Golden State — getting back from the common rotation, Dillingham and Shannon can be taught from a stalwart like Conley and watch a celebrity like Anthony Edwards with out being compelled into an excessive amount of motion too quickly.
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“I wouldn’t assume I’d go to a contender proper off the bat,” Dillingham mentioned. “I’m simply pleased that I’ve bought to be taught from so many vets on the staff.”
After averaging 23 factors per sport and turning into among the finest two-way gamers within the nation final season, Shannon at age 23 with 5 seasons of main convention expertise — he began his faculty profession at Texas Tech — must be as rotation-ready as any of the current draft picks on Minnesota’s roster. Dillingham is simply 19. Shannon is older than second-rounders from the earlier two drafts, too: Jaylen Clark (22), Leonard Miller (20) and Josh Minott (21).
“There’s roles available,” coach Chris Finch mentioned. “There’s roles to be earned.”
