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Welcome to “Good Morning, Illini Nation,” your daily dose of college basketball news from Illini beat writer and AP Top 25 voter Scott Richey. He’ll offer up insights every morning on Brad Underwood’s team and college basketball at large:
All 30 NBA teams will be in Las Vegas for the next 10 days, with full Summer League action starting this afternoon and running through July 20. The goings on at Thomas & Mack Center will include six former Illinois players in Kasparas Jakucionis and Dain Dainja (Miami Heat), Coleman Hawkins (Golden State Warriors), Terrence Shannon Jr. (Minnesota Timberwolves), Quincy Guerrier (Toronto Raptors) and Will Riley (Washington Wizards).
Shannon and Guerrier are Summer League veterans, having played in Las Vegas last year following the conclusion of their Illinois careers. Jakucionis, Dainja and Hawkins all played in the California Classic that concluded Tuesday in San Francisco.
Shannon is the lone player among the six to play in the NBA this past season. A 2024 first-round draft pick, the 6-foot-6 guard saw action in 32 games and averaged 4.3 points on 48/35/81 shooting in fairly limited action behind Anthony Edwards, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Donte DiVincenzo.
Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said Shannon would be a "significant part" of Minnesota's rotation next season. A role now open with Alexander-Walker heading to the Atlanta Hawks.
How much Shannon plays in Las Vegas will be worth tracking. Because other than getting him some competitive, in-game reps, which were often in short supply during his rookie season, there might not be much for the former Illinois guard to gain from getting on the court at Thomas & Mack.
Mostly because every time Minnesota sent Shannon to the G League it was a waste of time. The Chicago native crushed that level during his stints with the Iowa Wolves — averaging 36.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists in four games — and Summer League isn't necessarily all that different.
Guerrier spent last season in the G League with Raptors 905 after playing for Toronto in Summer League. The 6-7 forward put up 9.5 points and five rebounds per game and shot 30.1 percent from three-point range.
The Montreal native returned home to play for the Montreal Alliance in the Canadian Elite Basketball League and got in 13 games before winding up on the Raptors' Summer League team again. Guerrier averaged 17.2 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists in what amounted to a half season in the CEBL.
2025 NBA Summer League Schedule
(Only games featuring former Illini)
Thursday, July 10
New Orleans vs. Minnesota; 2:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
Friday, July 11
Atlanta vs. Miami; 3:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
Chicago vs. Toronto; 7 p.m. (ESPN+/NBATV)
Washington vs. Phoenix; 8 p.m. (ESPN)
Portland vs. Golden State; 10 p.m. (ESPN2)
Saturday, July 12
Minnesota vs. Denver; 9 p.m. (ESPN+/NBATV)
Sunday, July 13
Toronto vs. Orlando; 5 p.m. (ESPN2)
Miami vs. Cleveland; 6:30 p.m. (ESPN+/NBATV)
Brooklyn vs. Washington; 7 p.m. (ESPN2)
Golden State vs. Utah; 9 p.m. (ESPN2)
Monday, July 14
Boston vs. Miami; 7 p.m. (ESPNU)
Tuesday, July 15
Minnesota vs. Detroit; 3:30 p.m. (ESPN+/NBATV)
Toronto vs. Denver; 7 p.m. (ESPN+)
Philadelphia vs. Washington (ESPN+/NBATV)
Golden State vs. Memphis; 9:30 p.m. (ESPN+/NBATV)
Wednesday, July 16
Phoenix vs. Minnesota; 4 p.m. (ESPN+/NBATV)
Washington vs. Utah; 9 p.m. (ESPN)
Thursday, July 17
Detroit vs. Miami; 3 p.m. (ESPN+/NBATV)
Golden State vs. Toronto; 9 p.m. (ESPN+/NBATV)