NBA Draft: Where could Illinois' three prospects be drafted?

The 2024 NBA Draft lottery and combine took place this week in Chicago, with the draft being released in six weeks, shortly after the conclusion of the NBA Finals.

Illinois has seen a resurgence in NBA presence in recent seasons: Malcolm Hill received multiple contracts, Ayo Dosunmu was drafted and others bounced around the G League. But this season, for the first time since 2005 and 2006, the Fighting Illini have a chance to send multiple draft picks to the NBA. And while Dosunmu should have broken the first-round drought that dates back to Meyers Leonard in 2012, another opportunity awaits him in 2024.

Let's dive into the prospects:

Percentiles courtesy of CBB Analytics

Terrence Shannon, Jr.

Strengthen:

• One of the best finishers on the edge of the class, 92nd percentile
• Has a diverse dunk and layup package
• An unstoppable force for change
• 100th percentile in fast-break PPG
• Ideal size for a wing at 6-foot-6 and 225 pounds
• Elite on-ball defender protecting the opposing team's best wide player
• Chases through screens defensively
• Stack blocks and steal
• Demonstrated acumen in playmaking/passing and rebounding
• Improved three-point shooting and free throw shooting in the postseason
• Elite at drawing fouls and getting to the line

Weaknesses:

• Not very good grips, especially the off hand needs to be improved
• Shot creation in the mid-range needs to be improved
• Sometimes we get a little out of control when pushing the ball
• Occasionally falls asleep when pruning
• A little streaky shooting
• No floater to pivot against elite rim protection

Outlook: Shannon's status as a candidate appears to depend heavily on his June trial date on a rape charge in Kansas. For the purposes of this exercise, let's assume he is released before the draft. Shannon is perhaps the most explosive scorer in his class, as he was third in points per game last season and demonstrated the ability to score at all three levels. He is also a very good defender and could focus more on that purpose since he won't be a top option in the NBA right away.

His age (24 as a rookie) will put some teams off, but he is still a great winger who defends and shoots very well. Playoff teams in need of bench help will have a lot of interest.

Prediction: Selected between picks 15 and 25

Coleman Hawkins

TCR // Jack Jungmann

Strengthen:

• Prototypical Stretch 5 for the modern NBA at 6-foot-10
• Improved his 3FG% to 37% this season
• Good layup, 70th percentile
• Handles the ball well and has great playing ability
• Significantly improved his free throw shooting this season
• Elite help defender
• Solid rebounder despite being light
• Versatile, can protect positions 1-5
• High support/sales ratio

Weaknesses:

• Needs to build muscle to compete with the big men in the NBA
• Requires too many long threes and often has poor shot selection
• Too many fouls
• Has some shooting skills, but not much
• Randomly indicates poor basketball IQ

Outlook: Hawkins performed well at the Combine Scrimmage and showed how he can be a perfect glue guy in the NBA. He fits the prototype of the modern big man, stretching the floor, handling the ball and making passes to cutters for easy baskets. He is also a smart defender.

His thin frame will be a concern, but an NBA training program will help him greatly. He also needs to reduce the self-inflicted mistakes that continue to crop up throughout his career. With fewer teams playing old-school big men, it should be easy for Hawkins to nab a landing spot.

Prediction: Mid-second round pick

Marcus Domask

TCR // Jack Jungmann

Strengthen:

• Elite post player
• Smart passerby
• Good size at 6'6 for a wing
• Versatile offensively
• Good rebounder
• Elite free throw shooter

Weaknesses:

• There is a lack of top-class athleticism
• Not a good defender
• Below-average shooting from three-point range

Outlook: Domask not getting an invite to the combine was bad enough, but somehow he didn't even get an invite to the G League Elite camp. He was great for Illinois last season, especially when Shannon was suspended.

Domask seems to be another example of an elite college player who probably won't be a major force in the NBA due to his different playing style, but I think his skillset is enough to warrant a chance as a G League player to get team.

Prediction: 2-way contract after the summer league