Illinois guard Terrence Shannon Jr. at a press conference. Mar 15, 2023; Des Moines, IA, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Terrence Shannon Jr. (0) smiles as forward Coleman Hawkins (left) looks on during the press conference before their opening round game of the NCAA tournament in Des Moines at Wells Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
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A first-team All-Big Ten player basketball player has decided to return to school.

Illinois guard Terrence Shannon Jr. has withdrawn from the 2023 NBA Draft and will return to play college basketball for the Fighting Illini.

Shannon tweeted a graphic on Wednesday night to announce the news: “I’m Back.”

This is a huge boost to the 2023-24 Illinois basketball team, and it’s very big news for the Big Ten.

In the 2022-23 college basketball season, Shannon averaged 17.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.3 steals per game, while shooting 44.2 percent from the field, 32.1 percent on three-pointers, and 79 percent from the charity stripe. He was easily the Fighting Illini’s leading scorer, with Matthew Mayer coming in second at 12.5 points per game.

Shannon scored a game-high 20 points in Illinois’ loss to the Arkansas Razorbacks in the 2023 NCAA Tournament. The Fighting Illini finished the season with a 20-13 record and were a 9-seed in the NCAA Tournament. They finished fifth in the Big Ten with an 11-9 record in conference play.

Shannon transferred to Illinois after playing three seasons for the Texas Tech Raiders.

After Shannon’s announcement on Wednesday night, ESPN’s Jeff Borzello tweeted, “Massive news for the Illini. Brad Underwood now waits for Coleman Hawkins.”

Sean Paul of The Field of 68 tweeted, “I really believe Terrence Shannon has a chance to develop into an All-American caliber player this season. It’s his team in Champaign. If Hawkins is back, Illinois is ranked in the preseason.”

Update: Coleman Hawkins is indeed returning to Illinois as well.

Shannon participated in the recent NBA Draft Combine in Chicago, his hometown. He attended Lincoln Park High School.

[Terrence Shannon Jr. on Twitter]

About Matt Clapp

Matt is an editor at The Comeback. He attended Colorado State University, wishes he was Saved by the Bell's Zack Morris, and idolizes Larry David. And loves pizza and dogs because obviously.

He can be followed on Twitter at @Matt2Clapp (also @TheBlogfines for Cubs/MLB tweets and @DaBearNecess for Bears/NFL tweets), and can be reached by email at mclapp@thecomeback.com.

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