CHAMPAIGN, Ill.– Fighting Illini star Terrence Shannon Jr. announced on his social media accounts Wednesday that he is withdrawing from the 2023 NBA Draft and will return to Illinois next season.
Shannon is a major addition to the 2023-24 Illini lineup. He averaged 17.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.3 steals in his inaugural season in Champaign, earning first-team All-Big Ten accolades.
Shannon ranked seventh in the Big Ten in scoring and had 11 games of 20+ points, including nine times against high-major opponents. His aggressiveness on the offensive end also resulted in 166 free throws on 210 attempts, ranking second in the B1G in both categories while cracking the Illinois single-season top-10 lists.
Shannon's return adds plenty of firepower to a UI team filled with experience. The Chicago native is the fourth fifth-year player slated on the roster, joining a trio of incoming graduate transfers. He also reunites with teammates from last year's rotation that helped lead the Illini to a fourth-straight 20-win season and third-straight NCAA Tournament appearance.
"Terrence did everything possible to educate himself through this process," head coach Brad Underwood said. "He worked tirelessly to perform at his best and gain all the valuable feedback to make the best decision for his future. We are, of course, beyond excited he has chosen one more year of college and will return to our program. Terrence became a primary offensive option in everything we do, resulting in 17-plus points per night and a first-team all-league season. Because of his work ethic, he now has All-America potential with the ability to take his game to an even higher level next year."
TERRENCE SHANNON JR. | 2022-23 ILLINOIS HIGHLIGHTS
- First-Team All-Big Ten (coaches)
- USBWA All-District V Team
- Second-Team All-Big Ten (media)
- NABC All-District 7 Second Team
- Played in 31 of 33 games, starting 30
- Led Illini and ranked seventh in Big Ten in scoring at 17.2 ppg
- Scored in double figures in 27 times, with 11 games of 20+ points
- Second in B1G in both free throws made (166) and attempted (210)
- 166 made free throws rank No. 6 on Illinois single-season list
- 210 free throw attempts rank No. 8 on school's single-season list
- Second on Illini in assists (2.8 apg) and first in steals (1.3 spg)
- Fourth on team in rebounding (4.6 rpg)
- Career-high 30 points vs. Monmouth (11/14/22)
- 29 points, school-record tying eight 3-pointers, and 10 rebounds for double-double in comeback win over No. 8 UCLA (11/18/22)
- 24 points in win over No. 14 Wisconsin (1/7/23)
- 25 points and season-high 11 rebounds for second double-double of season in win at Nebraska (1/10/23)
- B1G-high tying 26 points – with 24 coming in second half – in comeback win over No. 21 Northwestern (2/23/23)
- 21 points in final home game of season in 2OT win over Michigan (3/2/23)
