Wolves confidently take (*27*) Shannon at No. 27 after the Illinois star was found not guilty in rape case

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) The Minnesota Timberwolves have dug even deeper into (*27*) Shannon Jr. before the NBA draft.

They found multiple sources attesting to his character, bolstering their confidence in the dynamic player whose final season at Illinois was overshadowed by a rape charge of which he was recently acquitted.

“The reputation off the court is great. Talk to the coaches at Texas Tech. Talk to coaches in Illinois. They don’t say good things. They say amazing things,” Tim Connelly, Timberwolves president of basketball operations, said Wednesday night after taking Shannon in the first round with the twenty seventh overall pick. “Obviously he was on the wrong end of a really unfortunate situation, and his ability to get through that and win the basketball for a great coach like Brad Underwood, we just think he brings toughness.”

Shannon was found not guilty two weeks ago after a Douglas County, Kansas, jury spent lower than two hours reaching a verdict. He was accused of sexual assault last September while visiting Kansas for a football game between the Illini and Jayhawks.

Connelly said the Timberwolves have “done a ton” of labor on Shannon, taking an interest in his experience, grit and skill to attain from anywhere on the court.

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“Often the minute you’re charged, you’re presumed guilty. Fortunately, he went through the legal process. He chose to go to trial because he knew he didn’t do anything wrong,” Connelly said. “It’s just unfortunate that he had to go through that. I think it’s a testament to who he is as a kid and his ability to handle really tough times.”

The 6-foot-10 Shannon, who turns 24 next month, can play in either forward position. He began his college profession at Texas Tech before transferring to Illinois, leading the Illini to the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament before losing to eventual national champion Connecticut. Shannon was named first-team All-Big Ten and third-team All-American by the Associated Press and was named Big Ten tournament MVP for his March performance at the Target Center in Minneapolis, where he’ll now play his home games as knowledgeable.

“I think he’s a three-position defender. I think he’s an incredibly competitive guy. It has size. Another downhill rider who will play with pace,” Connelly said.

The Timberwolves were excited to accumulate Shannon to enrich Kentucky guard Rob Dillingham, who they traded for the No. 8 overall pick in a trade with San Antonio. The Western Conference runner-up couldn’t have had a more productive draft night, on condition that they’re unable to bolster their roster through trades or free agency on account of limited salary cap space and a desire to retain their core.

“You don’t take into account how these two guys are going to play together, but our challenge was to try to play a little bit faster on our second unit,” Connelly said, “and I think we have two of the fastest, most athletic and aggressive guys in the draft.”