By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Terrance Shannon Jr. has decided to test what the National Basketball Association thinks of his current game.

The Illinois guard, who just finished his only season with the Illini as a transfer player with a first-team, All-Big Ten Conference campaign, announced on social media Wednesday afternoon his intention to explore the possibility of entering the draft process. Shannon, a 6-foot-6 guard, ranked sixth in Big Ten in scoring at 17.1 points per game and was fourth on team in rebounding (4.7 rpg) and second in assists (2.9 apg, 17th in Big Ten).

Shannon joins Coleman Hawkins, who announced his intention to enter the draft process a few weeks ago, as the only two members of the Illini roster to declare but maintain their college eligibility and, by doing so, remain a possible factor for the Illini’s upcoming 2023-24 season.

Similarly to Hawkins, Shannon is currently projected by ESPN.com draft analyst Jonathan Givony as a mid second round selection in this upcoming draft to take place on June 22 from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

“He’s been getting in the weight room and constantly working on his game because you have to give those guys enough freedom to get the information they need to see what their opportunities are,” Illinois head coach Brad Underwood said on the evening of April 11 at the Gordyville Coaches vs. Cancer banquet in Gilford, Ill. “He’s been very diligent in his workouts and he’s one of the hardest working guys I’ve been around. Those decisions aren’t mine to make and I have little say. All you do is make it very clear that they’re very much wanted back if that’s what they want but I want what’s best for the player."

The Athletic’s basketball analyst Sam Vecenie had Shannon at No. 33 overall in his latest prospects big board and projected Shannon as the No. 34 overall selection by Charlotte in the 2023 draft.

As of now, because he’s elected to not sign with an agent to maintain his college eligibility, Shannon has a three-pronged decision in front of him. First, as an early entrant for the draft, Shannon has until May 31 to return to college basketball without the need of a waiver and subsequent penalty the following season.

There is precedent for Hawkins being able to apply for reinstatement if he elects to return past that May 31st deadline as in June 2010, Mississippi State point guard Dee Bost appealed the NCAA's reinstatement committee. Bost was eventually suspended months later for nine games by the NCAA committee after failing to withdraw before the deadline.

One more date of substance for Shannon is May 15-21 - which is the date of the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago and the invites for that event would likely go out before that week of play. The date of May 11 - which is the deadline for all college basketball players to enter the transfer portal - is critical for several reasons the least of which being and if Shannon gets past that date without putting his name in the portal then the public would know Shannon’s decision is still between returning to the University of Illinois or professional basketball.