MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Timberwolves did some extra digging into Terrence Shannon Jr. before the NBA draft.
They found plenty of sources vouching for his character, bolstering their confidence in a dynamic player whose stellar final season at Illinois — the Chicago native averaged 23 points as the nation’s No. 3 scorer and shot 36% on 3-pointers — was overshadowed by a rape charge.
“The off-court reputation is sterling,” Timberwolves president of basketball operations Tim Connelly said late Wednesday after selecting Shannon with the 27th pick. “Talk to the coaches at Texas Tech. Talk to the coaches at Illinois. They don’t say good things. They say amazing things. Obviously he was on the wrong end of a really unfortunate situation, and his ability to play through that and play winning basketball for a great coach in Brad Underwood — we just think he brings toughness.”
Shannon on June 13 was found not guilty to one felony count of rape and to an alternative count of aggravated sexual battery, also a felony. A jury in Douglas County, Kan., spent about 90 minutes to reach the unanimous verdict after a four-day trial in Lawrence.
Illinois suspended Shannon on Dec. 28 after he was charged with rape in connection with an incident that was alleged to have happened when the school’s football team played at Kansas in September. He missed six games but was cleared to return to the team after a federal judge on Jan. 19 granted a preliminary injunction.
Connelly said the Timberwolves “did a ton” of background work on Shannon with an interest in his experience, fortitude and scoring ability from anywhere on the court.
“Oftentimes, the minute you’re accused you’re found guilty,” Connelly said. “Thankfully he went through the legal process. He chose to go to trial because he knew he did nothing wrong. I just think it’s a shame he went through that, and I think it’s a testament to who he is as a kid and his ability to play through a really tough distraction.”
The 6-foot-6 Shannon, who turns 24 next month, can play both guard positions. He started his college career at Texas Tech before transferring to Illinois for the last two seasons.
A first-team All-Big Ten and third-team All-America selection, the fifth-year guard led the Illini to the Big Ten tournament title and the NCAA Tournament’s Elite Eight, where they were trounced by eventual champion Connecticut. Shannon was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Big Ten tournament for his performance in March at the Target Center in Minneapolis, where he’ll now have his home games as a pro.
“I think he’s a three-position defender,” Connelly said. “I think he’s an unbelievably competitive guy. He’s got size. Another downhill guy who’s going to play with pace.”
Shannon was the first Illini player selected in the first round since Meyers Leonard went to the Portland Trail Blazers at No. 11 in 2012.
The Timberwolves were elated to get Shannon as a complement to Kentucky guard Rob Dillingham, whom they jumped in to trade for at No. 8 through a deal with the San Antonio Spurs. The Western Conference runners-up could not have had a more productive draft night, considering they’re in no position to enhance the roster through trades or free agency with their salary-cap situation and desire to keep the core of the team together.
“You don’t take those two guys thinking how they’re going to match up together, but our challenge was to try to play a little bit faster in our second unit,” Connelly said, “and I think we got two of the fastest and most athletic and aggressive guys in the draft.”
Tribune reporting contributed.