If you're a fan of the Minnesota Timberwolves, you knew about the kind of talent Terrence Shannon Jr. has long ago. You saw it on display every time he got a chance to step on the court during the 2024-25 season, when he showed off his athleticism and physical style of play. For the more casual NBA fan, they're going to find out about number 0 sooner or later.
I had a chance to ask Anthony Edwards about Shannon's abilities in the locker room after their win over the Charlotte Hornets back on March 5, and his words were telling. "He loves contact," Edwards said. "You don't run into too many basketball players that don't shy away from contact ... that's what I love about him."
If last season didn't make it obvious that Terrence has a lot of potential to be an impact player for the Wolves, the Summer League performance he just put up should have made it that much easier to see. Shannon positively dominated in Las Vegas.
He averaged 22.7 points through three appearances, and he did it with a noticeable increase in confidence compared to his last summer league appearance. Of course, that's far from a surprise if you saw the way he consistently looked against the grown men in the NBA from October through May.
Terrence Shannon continues to inch toward greatness
I would argue that the most impressive part of Shannon's performance in Vegas was just his overall playstyle. He consistently attacked downhill, converted through contact, and defended multiple positions with the kind of intensity that coaching staffs love. His body was NBA-ready before he entered the league, so even what he did in the league last season was really not that big of a surprise.
Minnesota knew what they were getting when they took a swing on Shannon in the 2024 draft. He had already proven himself as one of the most explosive wings in college basketball during his time at the University of Illinois, and his high intensity and motor fit in perfectly with the Timberwolves’ identity.
What makes this all even more exciting for Minnesota is how seamless his fit could be long-term. Shannon plays with an edge that's contagious, and with some of the bench spots up for grabs this coming season, there will undoubtedly be opportunities in Chris Finch's rotation.
Right now, the league is focused on the Timberwolves' top-end talent, and that makes sense given what Anthony Edwards has become and how Julius Randle has been able to thrive since arriving in the Twin Cities. But Terrence Shannon Jr. can be a real piece to this team's puzzle, and the rest of the league may not even see it coming.