Illinois is becoming a burgeoning NBA factory under Brad Underwood. The Illini have had four NBA Draft picks since 2021 and have had three first-round draft picks during the last two years.
Not surprisingly, Illinois will be well-represented in the NBA Summer League during the next two weeks in California, Utah and Nevada.
Let's break down the Illini who will participate in Summer League (note: not all rosters have been officially announced yet) and what to watch for from them.
****Terrence Shannon Jr., Timberwolves: Shannon will be one of the most proven second-year players playing in the Summer League, along with Matas Buzelis (Bulls), Kel'el Ware (Heat) and Dalton Knecht (Lakers). While it remains to be seen how many games he actually plays in Summer League, Shannon — who is now wearing No. 1 after wearing No. 00 last season — has the chance to dominate this month as the 25-year-old ramps up for a significant rotation role following Nickeil Alexander-Walker signing with the Atlanta Hawks in free agency. When he got opportunities in the NBA last season, Shannon proved he can make an NBA impact due to his size, speed in transition and intensity on defense, even in the playoffs (9.3 ppg in the Western Conference Finals). He also shot decent well from three (35.5%). Against similar competition as the Summer League, Shannon averaged 40.0 points (on 60.0% shooting) and 5.0 rebounds in two G League games last season. Seeing that type of confidence and aggression translate into the Summer League — even though 2024 No. 8 overall pick Rob Dillingham also will be playing Summer League — would be encouraging heading into a second-year leap. But Shannon really doesn't have much to prove.
Timberwolves schedule
July 10 vs. Pelicans, 2:35 p.m. CT (ESPN2)
July 12 vs. Nuggets, 9:00 p.m. CT (NBATV)
July 15 vs. Pistons, 3:30 p.m. CT (NBATV)
July 16 vs. Suns, 4 p.m. CT (NBATV)
Will Riley, Wizards: Washington hasn't officially announced its Summer League roster, but there's no doubt Riley, the No. 21 overall pick in the draft, will be on it. Riley will have a lot of competition for playing time in the regular season with Khris Middleton, Corey Disport, Bilal Coulibaly and Kyshawn George all options at the three and four for the Wizards. But Riley was drafted as a long-term play, and the 19-year-old Canadian will have the chance this month to show off the size, feel, IQ and shooting potential that made him a five-star prep prospect. His patience as a playmaker, his cutting ability and ability to make tough, contested shots from all three levels really shined late in the season. It'll be interesting to see how that translates against NBA-caliber size and athleticism in the early going.
Wizards schedule
July 11 vs. Suns, 8 p.m. CT (ESPN)
July 13 vs. Nets, 7 p.m. CT (ESPN2)
July 15 vs. 76ers, 7:30 p.m. CT (NBATV)
July 16 vs. Jazz, 9 p.m. CT (ESPN)
Kasparas Jakucionis, Heat: The No. 20 pick in the NBA Draft should get plenty of usage on a Heat summer league roster that doesn't feature many NBA veterans. Plus, he and former Indiana star Kel'el Ware could make for a fun pick-and-roll/pick-and-pop option, and Michigan star Vladislav Goldin is also a good running mate with Jakucionis. The 19-year-old Illini guard slid in the draft after a late-season slide of his own. The key for him will be to renew his confidence and not let one bad play cause a flurry of bad decisions. Miami is in need of some guard depth behind Tyler Herro and Davion Mitchell, and this will be Jakucionis' first chance to show he's ready for some immediate playing time. Miami likely will put the ball in his hands a lot this week to give him the opportunity to showcase the high-level passing and shot-making that made him such a special player for the first few months of his college career.
Heat schedule
July 5 vs. Spurs, 3:30 p.m. CT (NBATV)
July 6 vs. Lakers, 3:30 p.m. CT (NBATV)
July 8 vs. Warriors, 6 p.m. CT (ESPN+)
July 13 vs. Cavaliers, 6:30 p.m. CT (NBATV)
July 14 vs. Celtics, 7 p.m. CT (ESPNU)
July 17 vs. Pistons, 3 p.m. CT (NBA TV)
Dain Dainja, Heat: As expected, the former Illini center shined in a higher-usage role in a lower conference last season, averaging 14.6 points and 7.4 rebounds to help lead Memphis to a No. 5 seed in the NCAA Tournament, though the Tigers were upset by No. 12 seed Colorado State in the first round. At Illinois, Dainja's lack of height (6-foot-9) as a low-post-only scorer frequently affected him against high-major opponents, so he'll need to show that he can score against NBA size with his nimbleness and strength. But to earn a spot in the NBA, he'll also need to show a high motor running the court and getting after it on the glass.
Heat schedule
July 5 vs. Spurs, 3:30 p.m. CT (NBATV)
July 6 vs. Lakers, 3:30 p.m. CT (NBATV)
July 8 vs. Warriors, 6 p.m. CT (ESPN+)
July 13 vs. Cavaliers, 6:30 p.m. CT (NBATV)
July 14 vs. Celtics, 7 p.m. CT (ESPNU)
July 17 vs. Pistons, 3 p.m. CT (NBA TV)
****Coleman Hawkins, Warriors: After raking in some big bucks in his fifth year of college eligibility at Kansas State (10.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.8 steals, 1.3 blocks), the former Illini forward will look to show NBA teams what put him on NBA radars during his college career. Hawkins found a good schematic fit with the Warriors, who certainly will appreciate his passing and shooting skill as a stretch forward/big man. Hawkins' defensive versatility — he can protect the rim but also hedge screens and switch onto guards and wings — might be the key during this showcase to earning a two-way deal from an NBA team, especially at 23 years old.
Warriors schedule
July 5 vs. Lakers, 5:30 p.m. CT (ESPN2)
July 6 vs. San Antonio, 5:30 p.m. CT (NBATV)
July 8 vs. Miami, 6 p.m. (ESPN+)
July 11 vs. Portland, 10 p.m. (ESPN2)
July 13 vs. Utah, 9 p.m. (ESPN2)
July 15 vs. Memphis, 9:30 p.m. (NBATV)
July 17 vs. Toronto, 7 p.m. (NBATV)
****Quincy Guerrier, Raptors: Toronto must like the Montreal native because this is Guerrier's second Summer League appearance with the Raptors, and he played for the Raptors 905, Toronto's G-League team last season, averaging 9.5 points (on 45.2% shooting) and 5.0 rebounds. At 26 years old, Guerrier probably has a tough path to the NBA, and the Raptors certainly will prioritize playing time for No. 9 overall pick Collin Murray-Boyles at the four during Summer League. But Guerrier can continue to get professional opportunities, especially in his home country, if he shoots well from three, cuts consistently and gives a boost on the boards.
Raptors schedule
July 11 vs. Bulls, 7 p.m. CT (NBATV)
July 13 vs. Magic, 5 p.m. CT (ESPN2)
July 15 vs. Nuggets, 8 p.m. CT (ESPN+)
July 17 vs. Warriors, 9 p.m. CT (NBATV)