2024 NBA Mock Draft: Timberwolves grab seasoned prospect, Wizards reach for center
By Austin McGee
18. Orlando Magic - Terrence Shannon Jr., Illinois
Scoring, scoring, and more scoring. That's what Illinois' Terrence Shannon Jr. does. What makes Shannon Jr. such an ideal fit for the Orlando Magic is his what was reiterated thrice to begin the paragraph—scoring.
Shannon Jr. is the ideal shotmaker. He's a 6-foot-6 shooting guard with elite athleticism. If the high-flying guard was 19, there'd be an argument to be made for Shannon Jr. to be drafted first overall. However, the former Texas Tech Red Raider will be 24 years old by the beginning of next season.
Ideally, Shannon Jr. is a plug-and-play prospect. The Magic are loaded with quality defenders and jumbo-sized wings. Yet the Floridian squad lacks a downhill attacking point guard and a high-volume scorer. Shannon Jr. offers the latter.
As a graduate senior, Shannon Jr. averaged 23.0 points per game. He shot 47.5 percent from the field, 36.2 percent from beyond the arc, and 80.1 percent on 8.6 free throw attempts per contest. Despite his advanced age, Shannon Jr. does carry some risk.
The 23-year-old guard was merely an average contributor through his first three seasons in Lubbock. His breakout came once he transferred to Illinois. Although there's some risk in drafting a 24-year-old in the top 20, Shannon Jr.'s shotmaking appears to be a transferrable skill.
Shannon Jr. is a top-notch athlete who excels in the halfcourt and transition. His shooting may be come-and-go, but his high free-throw percentage (79.3 percent for his career) is a sign of a consistent shooter.