Advertisement

Texas Tech's Terrence Shannon, Jr. to be withheld from competition, 'out of an abundance of caution' to ensure NCAA rules not violated

Texas Tech Guard Terrence Shannon Jr. (1) looks on during basketball practice on Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2021, at the Dustin R. Womble Basketball Center in Lubbock, Texas.
Texas Tech Guard Terrence Shannon Jr. (1) looks on during basketball practice on Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2021, at the Dustin R. Womble Basketball Center in Lubbock, Texas.

The Texas Tech men's basketball will have a new look Tuesday.

Although head coach Mark Adams will lead them after three years as an assistant, the Red Raiders will be without the services of Terrence Shannon, Jr. for the foreseeable future.

The junior wing, who elected to go through the NBA Draft process in the summer before choosing to return to Lubbock, will be withheld from competition "out of an abundance of caution," as the compliance department works to ensure all NCAA rules were followed during the draft process, per a Texas Tech news release.

Shannon is not expected to return to the court until the process is completed.

ADVERTISEMENT

"Terrence Shannon, Jr. went through the NBA Draft process over the summer and subsequently withdrew his name to return to Texas Tech University and the basketball program as NCAA rules allow," the Texas Tech release stated. "Out of an abundance of caution, Texas Tech is withholding Shannon from competition to ensure there are no possible issues resulting from that process and that all NCAA rules were followed. Shannon will not compete until this review process is completed. Texas Tech is working diligently to complete this review."

Shannon, an all-Big 12 preseason first-team pick, announced he would return and play for the Red Raiders by posting a video to Twitter narrated by Texas Tech great Ronald Ross with the ending tagline: #RunItBack.

More: Shannon, Jr. withdraws from NBA Draft, returning for third season to play for Red Raiders

Prior to that, the 6-foot-7 guard was going through the NBA Draft Process throughout the summer before electing to return for his junior campaign.

"It has been my lifelong dream to play in the NBA," Shannon, Jr. wrote on a picture he posted to Twitter on April 8. "After consulting with the Texas Tech coaching staff and my family, I have made the decision to pursue this opportunity, and enter my name in the 2021 NBA draft while retaining my eligibility."

Shannon would have entered his third season averaging 11.3 points and 4.1 rebounds per game through 57 games in his career. The Chicago native is coming off a sophomore campaign in which he ranked second on the squad, netting 12.9 points per game after adjusting his shooting motion en route to all-Big 12 third-team recognition. He also chipped in 39 assists and 32 steals.

More: Becoming a better player: Terrence Shannon Jr. improves jump shot, shores up overall game

Shannon, who was named to the Jerry West watch list, did not participate in either of the Red Raiders' closed-door, also known as secret, scrimmages this off-season against Wichita State and New Mexico State. He also did not attend Big 12 Media Day with Adams stating he was kept home due to illness.

Without Shannon, Texas Tech will have two of its top five scorers in uniform to start the regular season in Kevin McCullar (10.4 points, 6.3 rebounds) and Marcus Santos-Silva (8.3 ppg, 6.4 RPG) from last season.

The Red Raiders are slated to take on North Florida at 7 p.m. Tuesday at United Supermarkets Arena. The three-game homestand includes contests against Grambling State (7 p.m. Friday) and Prairie View A&M (7 p.m. Nov. 15).

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: TEXAS TECH: Terrence Shannon, Jr. to be withheld from competition, 'out of an abundance of caution' to ensure NCAA rules were followed