Former Illini Terrence Shannon Jr. Rocks the Rim, scores first NBA points

Terrence Shannon Jr. is not used to waiting that long before getting into the scoring column.

But on Thursday night in his hometown of Chicago, Shannon, a rookie guard with the NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves and a two-time All-Big Ten selection at Illinois, finally broke the ice after going scoreless in the first seven games of the season for the Wolves.

The moment, which came when Minnesota (5-3) had a 133-115 lead over Chicago (3-5) with 1:19 to play at the United Center, might not have been dripping with drama. But it sure felt as sweet to Shannon as the finger roll he used to slide over the rim for his first two NBA points.

The excitement came seconds later – garbage time or not – when Shannon darted for a lazy crosscourt pass, tipped it forward and scooped it deep onto the left wing and, after one dribble, rose to hammer in a dunk to really get you to remind:

That Shannon and fellow Timberwolves rookie Rob Dillingham have played so little has been a source of frustration for some, even though Minnesota is an experienced team coming off an appearance in the Western Conference Finals.

Shannon, who averaged 23.0 points and 2.4 three-pointers as an Illini senior — including a career-high 40 points in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals last spring — has had to wait his turn since entering the N.B.A. Summer League and the preseason occurred. .

The good news: It was Dillingham, after breaking through with his first NBA points on Monday, who assisted on Shannon’s first bucket. And both, after playing in each of the Wolves’ first five games, have now played in all of the team’s last three games.

Small steps, youngbloods.

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