Terrence Shannon Jr. showing he belongs among NBA’s rising stars

It's been a great summer.

Terrence Shannon

Terrence Shannon Jr., the dynamic guard who starred at Texas Tech and later the University of Illinois, is making serious waves this summer as he prepares for his second NBA season with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

MORE: Latest details on federal gambling investigation into Terry Rozier

Shannon has emerged as one of the top performers in the NBA 2K26 Summer League, averaging an impressive 22.6 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists over his last three outings. His scoring surge has vaulted him to seventh among all players in the league, just behind top names like Kyle Filipowski, who leads the pack with 29.3 points per game, and Drew Timme.

Timberwolves Take Notice of Sophomore Breakout

The Timberwolves highlighted Shannon’s breakout game on Tuesday following their 89–73 victory over the Detroit Pistons, posting about their second-year guard's impact on social media. His high-energy play and consistent scoring have drawn attention from fans and analysts alike.

During his rookie season last year, Shannon appeared in 32 games and made one start. He averaged 10.6 minutes per contest and contributed 4.3 points per game. In the postseason, he was used in nine games, where he slightly upped his output to 4.6 points per game.

From College Star to NBA Contributor

Shannon’s current momentum stems from a standout collegiate career that earned him Third Team All-American honors and a spot on the All-Big Ten First Team in 2024. He was selected 27th overall in the 2024 NBA Draft by Minnesota, and he's quickly proving that he’s ready for a bigger role.

If his Summer League performance is any indication, Terrence Shannon Jr. may soon carve out more meaningful minutes in the Timberwolves rotation, and possibly make a leap in Year Two.

The Timberwolves are one of eight teams that went 3-0 in NBA Summer League action.

More NBA News:

Category: Basketball