Latest news with #TerrenceShannonJr
New York Times
22-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Timberwolves' Terrence Shannon Jr. stakes claim to rotation spot with strong NBA Summer League
When the Minnesota Timberwolves announced their Las Vegas Summer League roster earlier this month, it was no surprise that Terrence Shannon Jr. was booked for a return appearance. Shannon appeared in 32 games during the regular season as a rookie, but only 11 of those chances included more than 11 minutes on the floor. Still, with what he was able to show in one stretch as a regular in the rotation and with a couple of promising games in the playoffs, it was understandable to wonder if Shannon needed to be out there in a league with so many unproven players. He will turn 25 next week, a year older than Anthony Edwards, and is in line to join the Wolves rotation in earnest after the departure of Nickeil Alexander-Walker. Advertisement With all of that in mind, Shannon probably didn't need to play in Vegas. But he sure played like he needed to. He averaged 22.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists and shot 38.5 percent from 3-point range in three games, all victories for a Wolves summer team that finished 4-1 last week. Shannon introduced himself to Wolves fans last season as a player who found good trouble on the court. He played with a refreshing recklessness, attacking the rim in transition in a way that almost no other Wolves player would. There was more of that on display in Vegas. THERE IT IS!!!! — Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) July 10, 2025 Shannon played like a player who has been guaranteed nothing for next season, and that is exactly what the Timberwolves wanted to see. Alexander-Walker was a vital part of back-to-back runs to the Western Conference finals. Replacing his 25 minutes per game will be no easy task. But the Wolves figure to use a mixture of Shannon, Jaylen Clark and Rob Dillingham to fill the void of perimeter defense, outside shooting and overall vibes that NAW brought on a nightly basis. All three young players had their moments in summer league, but Shannon clearly stood out. His age and physical maturation helped him overwhelm younger, more inexperienced players in Vegas, and the Wolves want to see that bully ball mentality carry over to the season this fall. too tough TJ 😮💨 — Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) July 15, 2025 'Just showing my talents to the coaches and showing them how much better I got over the summer and just the stuff that I worked on and the stuff they want me to do for the oncoming season,' Shannon said. Owner Alex Rodriguez said during a couple of appearances in Vegas that Shannon has been one of the Wolves' most diligent workers this summer. He has taken thousands of 3-point shots in an effort to become a more reliable threat from the perimeter. Shannon hit a respectable 35.5 percent of his 3s as a rookie, but that number will need to improve to make up for NAW's 38 percent shooting on 4.5 attempts per game. Advertisement Shannon's 38.5-percent conversion rate, albeit on a small sample, was encouraging. His shooting stroke looked a little smoother in Vegas, and there was zero hesitation for him out there when the ball came his way. Even more promising was his playmaking. Shannon is known as an accomplished scorer, but he will often be the third or fourth option on the floor when he is out there. That means that he will have to play within the flow of coach Chris Finch's offense to earn trust and minutes. His 5.0 assists in Vegas showed a player that is seeing the game at a higher level than he did as a rookie. Shannon said he has been working hard with player development head Chris Hines on making plays for others. 'I just had to find a way to impact the game. Just reading the game, making the right play,' Shannon said after recording nine assists in his first game of the summer. Evaluating players in summer league can be tricky. The desperation from journeymen to get noticed and the lack of maturity on the floor can lead to muddled games. The best thing a second-year player like Shannon can do is make it look like he did not belong on the floor in that environment. And that's exactly what he did. Other thoughts on the summer Wolves: One of the biggest keys to the season will be Dillingham's ability to carve out a role as a point guard. Mike Conley will be 38 before the season begins, Alexander-Walker is in Atlanta and the Wolves have not made any other significant moves to address the thinnest position on the roster. That all points to a confidence that Dillingham will be ready for a greater role next season. He acquitted himself well in Vegas, averaging 17.3 points, 6.5 assists and 3.8 rebounds in four games, all victories. There were highs and lows during the stretch, but I came away with a better idea of how Dillingham can be successful for the Wolves. Advertisement Much has been made over the summer about the need for a point guard given Conley's age and Dillingham's lack of a role last season. Within that conversation, the implication has been that the Wolves need a true successor for Conley, a steady quarterback who can run the offense and values playmaking over scoring. But the days of the floor general in the NBA are disappearing. Players like Conley and Chris Paul are in their last days. Tyus Jones hasn't found his footing since leaving Memphis in search of a true starting role. Point guard has become much more of a combo guard-type of a spot. Players who can be explosive scorers are becoming the norm, guys like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Ja Morant, Jamal Murray and Tyrese Maxey. And more and more teams are putting the ball in the hands of their shooting guard and having him be the lead playmaker as well with Edwards, Luka Dončić and Cade Cunningham at the front of that line. What teams seem to be looking for now is a player who can be a real scoring threat at the 1. That opens the door for Dillingham, whose best game in Vegas came against Phoenix, when he took on a more aggressive scoring role than he did in his first three games. He scored 23 points, grabbed seven rebounds and had seven assists in the game, often being guarded by Suns defensive stopper Ryan Dunn in the second half. Rob does it all on the floor. 🫡 23 PTS / 7 REB / 7 AST — Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) July 17, 2025 Dillingham seems best-suited to approach the game in attack mode rather than prioritizing the pragmatism of a chief facilitator. The Wolves seem well prepared to accommodate that. They need a player with his speed and ingenuity out there to help Edwards with shot creation. Too much of that has fallen on Ant's shoulders in each of the last two conference finals losses, against Dallas and Oklahoma City. He was at his best in the second half against Phoenix when he was moved off the ball, playing alongside Tristen Newton in the backcourt. That could bode well for minutes he shares with Edwards in the regular season. Dillingham has his faults. Defense will always be a challenge for someone his size, though I thought he showed good heart on that end of the floor in Vegas. More concerning to me was his finishing at the rim. He is going to have to get a better handle on the angles he has to take against bigs in the paint so that he will not be easily neutralized by help defense. He only shot 39 percent from the field in Las Vegas, including 33 percent from 3. Advertisement The looks could be cleaner in the regular season when opponents can't key on him with the same vigor if he's on the floor with Edwards, Julius Randle and/or Jaden McDaniels. But he will have to be more consistent with his jumper and his drives to make a defense pay for not devoting more resources to him. The Wolves are expected to continue looking for more veteran depth in the backcourt. Names like Malcolm Brogdon and Cam Payne could make sense. But the team also wants to empower Dillingham in Year 2. What he showed in Vegas was a good step forward, and there are more for him to take. Clark's summer league got off to an inauspicious start when he tried to throw himself a pass off the backboard in transition, but the ball hit the rim and nearly got away from him. Luckily for Clark, he was able to finish the play with a layup to save what would have been a surefire appearance on Shaqtin' A Fool. The good news is that Clark felt bold enough to even attempt the move. He made a strong impression last year in his return from a torn Achilles tendon in college, but he also acknowledged that he wasn't yet as explosive as he was pre-injury. The attempt at a highlight-reel dunk shows that he is feeling more confident in his Achilles and getting some of that bounce back. His offensive game didn't get a whole lot better from that moment forward. Clark averaged 8.3 points, 2.5 assists and 2.0 rebounds in four games and shot just 30.6 percent from the field. If there was a hope that he would show an increased offensive capability in his second summer league, that did not happen. But if any player was assuming a different role from what he is expected to have in the NBA, it was Clark. He spent much of Vegas trying to create for himself and be a more aggressive scorer. That's not his game, but made sense to push as one of the veterans on the Wolves team. When he reports for training camp, Clark will again be a defense-first player who capitalizes off the attention that higher profile offensive players command when he is on the floor. He is the kind of player that does the dirty work on offense, slips screens, back cuts and gets lost on the perimeter for open 3s. He shot 43 percent from deep in the NBA last season, the vast majority of them wide open attempts while the defense collapsed on Wolves drivers. Advertisement He is a thinking man's player, one who fits well as part of a high-functioning unit. But he will also have trouble surprising teams again next season after coming out of nowhere to contribute last year. How he adjusts and continues to evolve will key his push for playing time. There is no other way to put it. The Timberwolves love Joan Beringer. They were high on the first-round pick when he was drafted, and that evaluation has only been strengthened after what he showed in Las Vegas. Beringer had six blocked shots in the opener, but what really stood out about his game was the fluidity with which he moves at 6-foot-11. He runs the floor like a deer, catches lobs easily and shows an understanding of the game that belies his short basketball resume. ✈️ JOAN TAKES FLIGHT ✈️ — Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) July 16, 2025 General manager Matt Lloyd raised eyebrows on draft night when he said the Wolves would feel comfortable putting Beringer on the floor as a rookie because of his defensive instincts. He will not turn 19 until November and just started playing basketball when he was 14, so that timeline seemed … aggressive. But there was nothing that happened in Vegas to deter that statement. Beringer tracked shots incredibly well. Even more impressively, he did not bite on the pump fakes that often get eager young shot blockers in trouble. There is a maturity about his game that is tantalizing. Wolves coaches and officials do not hide their enthusiasm for him in their public statements. But their eyes get even wider in casual conversation, indicating at belief that Beringer's ceiling is much higher than you might think. I still don't know what to make of Leonard Miller. Love his size and his skill set means that I'm usually surprised in a good way by at least one thing he does every time I watch him play. The stats are usually pretty impressive, including the 22 points and 11 rebounds he had against Phoenix. But I'm always waiting for just a little bit more. Coach Kevin Hanson spoke about Miller needing to remain focused on the game plan when he's out there. That may be one thing holding him back. … Rocco Zikarsky looked exactly like what I expected Beringer to be: a big man who will need time to develop in Iowa. He's a mountain of a man, a legit 7-foot-3. He looked a little heavy-footed in Vegas and will benefit from the Wolves' conditioning program. But there is some skill there. I'm intrigued, but it will take some time. … Amari Bailey acquitted himself well, looking like a versatile guard who at least could be worth a further look in Iowa this season.
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Timberwolves' Anthony Edwards loves Terrence Shannon Jr. Summer League slam
The post Timberwolves' Anthony Edwards loves Terrence Shannon Jr. Summer League slam appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Minnesota Timberwolves continued their strong start in 2025 NBA Summer League, improving to 2-0 with a 94-83 win over the Denver Nuggets. Leading the charge was second-year guard Terrence Shannon Jr., who delivered a strong 24-point performance capped by a vicious poster dunk over Tamar Bates late in the fourth quarter. The slam brought the crowd to life, none more so than Timberwolves teammate Anthony Edwards, who was sitting baseline and visibly hyped by the play. Shannon's dunk came in front of several key Timberwolves figures, including Edwards, Naz Reid, controlling owners Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez, head coach Chris Finch, and associate head coach Micah Nori. Edwards, now a full-fledged star, couldn't contain his excitement as he reacted to the emphatic slam. Advertisement Shannon downplayed the moment afterward, telling reporters, 'Ant is always bringing the energy. But I didn't think it was that crazy. That's why I just started laughing… Ant's my boy.' Rookie guard Rob Dillingham, who assisted on Shannon's poster, chimed in after the game, saying, 'Ain't nothing to think about. Who else is doing that? And he got me an assist.' Dillingham, who struggled with turnovers and shooting in the Wolves' Summer League opener, rebounded with a strong performance. He totaled 15 points and nine assists with just two turnovers, showcasing much-improved decision-making and offensive control. The Timberwolves' Summer League roster, considered to be one of the most competitive in Las Vegas, features second-year players like Shannon, Dillingham, and Jaylen Clark, as well as rookie Joan Beringer. Clark contributed six points, including two 3-pointers, and added two steals and a block defensively. Tristen Newton also chipped in 12 points off the bench, adding valuable scoring depth. Advertisement On the other side, Denver couldn't keep up, falling to 0-2 in Summer League play. Their roster lacked the high-end talent and physicality of Minnesota's group. DaRon Holmes II, the Nuggets' lone recent draft pick who missed last season with a torn Achilles, finished with eight points and six rebounds, but appeared to still be regaining full mobility. The Timberwolves' next Summer League matchup is scheduled for Tuesday against the Detroit Pistons as they look to maintain their undefeated run. Related: How Timberwolves owner Alex Rodriguez is using George Steinbrenner as ownership guide Related: Anthony Edwards catches Timberwolves-Nuggets Summer League game
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Anthony Edwards catches Timberwolves-Nuggets Summer League game
The post Anthony Edwards catches Timberwolves-Nuggets Summer League game appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Minnesota Timberwolves were able to grab some young talent in the NBA Draft, selecting Joan Beringer in the first round and Rocco Zikarsky in the second round. Fans, of course, want to see what they look like in action, and the Las Vegas Summer League is the best place to see them put on a show. The Summer League is not the only place where fans can watch, but usually, players already on the team come to watch as well. Advertisement Anthony Edwards was the latest player to watch the Timberwolves' young talent play, along with Naz Reid. The Timberwolves ended up facing the Denver Nuggets, a team that the Nuggets are very familiar with, as they surprised many two years ago, defeating them in the second round of the playoffs. Edwards enjoyed watching the game, and that was evident after he got hype when Terrence Shannon Jr. got off a huge dunk in the fourth quarter. Afterwards, Shannon was asked about the dunk and how Edwards got excited when it happened. 'Ant is always bringing the energy. But I didn't think it was that crazy. That's why I just started laughing… Ant's my boy,' Shannon said.' Advertisement Edwards has always been a supporter of his teammates, and that doesn't change even though it's in the Summer League. Timberwolves looking to get over the postseason hump The Timberwolves have been to the Western Conference Finals the past two seasons, but have not been able to get over the hump. It feels like they're close to getting to the level of making it to the Finals, but they didn't make that many moves in free agency to improve their team. They signed Reid and Julius Randle to extensions, but with that, they had to let Nickeil Alexander-Walker walk, and he signed with the Atlanta Hawks. They'll now have to rely on some of their young talent next season, and head coach Chris Finch noted in an interview during the Summer League that he was looking to expand the rotation. That means that players such as Rob Dillingham and Shannon will be receiving more minutes next season, which will be good for their development. Advertisement Edwards will also have to take another jump for this team to make it to the next level, and he's shown that he's capable of turning things up when he needs to. Related: How Timberwolves owner Alex Rodriguez is using George Steinbrenner as ownership guide Related: Timberwolves' Anthony Edwards loves Terrence Shannon Jr. Summer League slam
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Coach Chris Finch Gives Effusive Praise To Terrence Shannon Jr.
Coach Chris Finch Gives Effusive Praise To Terrence Shannon Jr. originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Minnesota Timberwolves have a promising group of young players, which includes their 23-year-old superstar Anthony Edwards. Tim Connelly and the rest of the Timberwolves front office have done a great job of building this team from the ground up. Advertisement Among the young players, there are a few standouts who are ready to contribute to the main team. At the 2025 NBA Summer League, Terrence Shannon Jr. has been quite impressive, and he is receiving praise from the Timberwolves' head coach, Chris Finch. Apr 11, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Terrence Shannon Jr. (00) prepares to play the Brooklyn Nets before the game at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn ImagesCredit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images Shannon was a late first-round pick for the Timberwolves in the 2024 NBA Draft. He is proving that he is one of the steals of the Draft, even if he is an older rookie who played multiple years in college. Shannon is older than Edwards, as he is about to turn 25 later this month. Despite that, Shannon has cemented himself in the Timberwolves rotation, considering Nickeil Alexander-Walker's exit. Shannon has the restless energy that a coach like Finch would love. With what he has seen in the Summer League, Finch feels Shannon is ready to contribute and compete for the main team. Advertisement Finch Praises Shannon For His Summer League Performances The 2025 NBA Summer League is an opportunity for young players to shine. For the Timberwolves, they have players who are all ready to contribute, and see this Summer League as a chance to break out. Shannon, Rob Dillingham, Leonard Miller, and Jaylen Clark have all played minutes in the NBA, so it's clear that the Summer League is easier for them. However, Finch wanted to highlight how well Shannon has played due to the potential impact he could have with the primary lineup. "We all love how he plays with so much force. He's kind of a locomotive out changes the game with his end-to-end play,"Finch said after two Summer League games. "I do think he's a little bit harder on himself. One thing he could probably do is clean up his shot selection a little bit. His three-point shot, but we love that he's committed to it. We're really pleased with that, he's gonna be fine." Advertisement Shannon Could Be Part Of The Regular Season Rotation With how well he is playing at the NBA Summer League, Shannon could show the willingness to attack the defense with an intense pace. At the same time, he could keep developing as a shooter, which could make him a regular in the Timberwolves' rotation. Due to him playing his full college eligibility, Shannon has become a more mature player than most young players. He will be crucial for the Timberwolves, as he has the maturity, the energy, and the skill set to contribute. Finch loves having energetic players, and Shannon could be the player from this NBA Summer League roster to transition well into the roster. Most people know Rob Dillingham and Joan Beringer are the long-term pieces, but Shannon will be the easiest player to integrate. Advertisement This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 14, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Anthony Edwards Stars in Timberwolves' Summer League Jab at Nuggets
Anthony Edwards Stars in Timberwolves' Summer League Jab at Nuggets originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Minnesota Timberwolves are looking to contend beyond just the Western Conference Finals each season. Part of making that jump to the NBA Finals could hinge on some of their promising younger stars. Advertisement Those stars are currently displaying their skills at the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. Among key roster members participating in the games are second-year guards Rob Dillingham and Terrence Shannon Jr., along with the team's first-round draft pick Joan Beringer. All three players have looked impressive through the Timberwolves' first few games, including Beringer's debut, which featured a record-tying Summer League performance of seven blocks. Anthony Edwards sat courtside and showed support during the team's most recent victory against the Denver Nuggets, 94-83. Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) chats during a game. © Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports The Timberwolves' social media team didn't shy away from capitalizing on Edwards' appearance at the game, including an interaction with a young fan. Advertisement In the clip, a boy wearing a Jamal Murray Nuggets jersey has given Edwards a ball cap to autograph. Ant-Man signs it, hands the cap back to the kid, and likely made his day with the gesture. "@nuggets, y'all seeing this?" the Timberwolves posted on X with the quick video clip. Fans in the X comments reacted to seeing the Timberwolves trolling the Nuggets, a challenging team they didn't face in this year's postseason. "Let the admin cook," one X commenter wrote, including a crying laughing face and fire emoji. "I'd do the same thing ..Cool of Ant to even sign his stuff," another X commenter said. Advertisement "That's crazy but I mean it is Anthony Edwards," another fan commented. There were also a few commenters who fired back at the Timberwolves' jab, calling out the team's lack of rings or suggesting that Ant-Man might become a Nuggets player in his future pursuit of a championship. In another X clip, a fan wearing the appropriate jersey also got a few autographs thanks to Edwards and his teammate, Naz Reid, during the NBA Summer League. The Timberwolves and Nuggets didn't battle in this year's NBA Playoffs. Instead, the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated both teams en route to their first-ever championship. Advertisement As of this writing, Minnesota's Summer League team has looked solid, posting a 2-0 record thanks to their experienced second-year guards, Shannon Jr. and Dillingham. As mentioned, the rookie also impressed fans and commentators, and could become one of the steals of this year's NBA Draft. The Timberwolves are hoping these emerging stars bolster the roster when it comes to taking down the best in the Western Conference next season, which has a strong chance to include Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 13, 2025, where it first appeared.
