Juwan Howard takes credit for Terrence Shannon Jr. ending up at Illinois: 'You're welcome'

Michigan got whacked on the road at the hands of Illinois on Tuesday, the latest indignity in a season full of them for the Wolverines. The salt in the wound on Tuesday? Juwan Howard and Co. were blown out in part by a player who was once committed to play in maize and blue: Terrence Shannon Jr.

Shannon had committed to Michigan as a transfer from Texas Tech ahead of the 2022-23 season, but eventually had to back off the commitment when academic snags meant he couldn’t enroll in Ann Arbor. Shannon shortly thereafter committed to, and enrolled at, Illinois.

And Shannon punished the Wolverines on Tuesday night, pouring in 31 points as the Illini won by 29.

“You’re welcome,” Howard said with a grin. “Terrence Shannon is a guy who I recruited, who committed to the University of Michigan, as you all are very aware of. And you’re welcome. He’s played extremely well since he’s been here. And I’m so proud of him.”

Juwan Howard on Terrence Shannon Jr.: "You're welcome. Terrence Shannon is a guy who I recruited, who committed to the University of Michigan, as you all are very aware of, and you're welcome. He's played extremely well since he's been here." pic.twitter.com/ZMAVA5qIW0

— Clayton Sayfie (@CSayf23) February 14, 2024

He also commended Shannon for his ability to pick up his play at the same high level he left it off when he was suspended late in 2023 after being charged for an alleged rape in Kansas. Shannon has since gotten injunctive relief against the suspension and returned to the court; the criminal case is still pending.

Howard, who briefly addressed Shannon’s off-court conduct, acknowledged the difficulties of coming off a pause in playing at such a high level.

“He started out the season playing great basketball and then when he took that break, he came back just like he hasn’t lost a step. And that’s so hard to do, sitting out for the time that he did and to hit the ground running like he had,” Howard said. “I commend their staff for being able to support him throughout this process, but it’s not easy for a young man, what he’s been through, I’m sure what the young lady’s been through. It’s not easy, on both sides.”

And Howard ultimately suspects that if Shannon can remain on the straight and narrow, his basketball career is still taking off. Originally coming out of high school in 2019, Shannon will be about as old as NBA prospects come, but Howard sees the possibilities.

“But I wish that Terrence can stay healthy and finish up this year,” Howard said. “Because I think he has a lot of basketball ahead of him.”