Stephen A. Smith Gives a Nod to Former Illini Terrence Shannon Jr. on ‘First Take’
Stephen A. Smith, known for his loud and passionate takes on ESPN’s First Take, typically focuses on the biggest names and topics in sports—LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Patrick Mahomes, and of course, Taylor Swift. But on Monday, Smith took a moment to highlight a less-discussed player: former Illinois guard Terrence Shannon Jr.
Smith shared a story about a recent conversation with Alex Rodriguez, the new owner of the Minnesota Timberwolves, who also made his name in Major League Baseball. According to Smith, Rodriguez pointed out Shannon as a player to watch, saying, “That’s the future, Stephen A. That brother is bright.”
While the timing of the conversation isn’t clear, the context was relevant: Shannon had made an impact in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals against Oklahoma City on Saturday. Despite having struggled to find a consistent role in the Timberwolves’ rotation, Shannon came off the bench to score 15 points, including 9 points in just 4 minutes in the second quarter.
“He came in, scored nine points in four minutes, and was aggressive,” Smith said. “He was looking for his shot, attacking the basket. His athleticism was exactly what Minnesota needed against Oklahoma City, who had been giving them problems in the first two games.”
Shannon’s dynamic play and speed—especially in transition—helped the Timberwolves dominate in a 143-101 win. Smith credited Shannon for providing a much-needed energy boost, particularly for star Anthony Edwards, who had been frustrated by Oklahoma City’s defense in the first two games.
“In Games 1 and 2, after Game 2 especially, I saw frustration in Ant Man,” Smith said. “He was the only one who could consistently attack the basket, and Oklahoma City knew that. But Shannon came in, changed the dynamic, and inspired the rest of the team to be as aggressive as he was. That helped Edwards a lot.”
While talk can often feel hollow in the world of sports commentary, it’s worth noting that Timberwolves owner Alex Rodriguez sees Shannon as a key piece of the team’s future. That’s a significant endorsement.
Unfortunately for Shannon, Minnesota lost a heartbreaker to Oklahoma City on Monday, falling 128-126, which put the Timberwolves on the brink of elimination, trailing 3-1 in the series. With Minnesota facing elimination, Shannon’s rookie season may be nearing its end—but it could also be the beginning of a bigger role for him with the Timberwolves moving forward.
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