If you have watched the games, you’ve learned a few things about some of the youngest Timberwolves players on the roster who didn’t see the floor very often last season. The team consists mostly of Wolves draft picks over the past three years (2023-2025).

Their front court playing time has been dominated by newly drafted big men, Joan Beringer (No. 17 overall) and Rocco Zikarsky (No. 45 overall). Both bigs have been impressive, especially given they are both just 18 years old. Beringer has looked especially good.

But Minnesota’s first two wins were driven by their backcourt, which has been built on the talent of recent first rounders, Jaylen Clark (’23), Terrence Shannon Jr (’24) and Rob Dillingham (’24).

Terrence Shannon Jr is Timberwolves’ Summer League X-Factor

While all three have played a major role in the Timberwolves’ impressive Summer League start, it’s been TJ Shannon Jr who’s stepped up as the team’s go-to, No. 1 option on offense.

In the Wolves first summer league game against the Pelicans on Thursday, TJ put up 20 points to go along with 9 assists, and 6 rebounds. He followed that up Saturday against the Nuggets with arguably an even more impressive performance, scoring a game-high 24 points, including 5/14 from deep, 7 rebounds and 3 assists.

Terrence Shannon Jr. with 24 PTS, 5 triples and a MASSIVE poster in the @Timberwolves win 🔥🐺 pic.twitter.com/SINppxrCBf

— NBA TV (@NBATV) July 13, 2025

Through two games down in Vegas, Shannon Jr. is averaging 22 points, which is tied for 11th most in the league, to go with 6.5 rebounds, and 6 assists. The 2024 No. 24 overall pick out of Illinois is shooting 42.4% from the field and 30.4% from beyond the arc.

Related: MN Timberwolves Rookie Blows Up Expectations in Summer League Debut

His stats are impressive, but the only way to understand how dominant Terrence Shannon Jr has been to start Vegas Summer League, you have to watch the games. Whether the ball is in his hands or not, TJ just looks like he’s playing a level down from where he should be.

TERRENCE SHANNON JR POSTER.

pic.twitter.com/tFoBVm5pGW

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) July 13, 2025

Shannon Jr is too good for Summer League

Let’s be real, TJ proved during the second half of 2024-25 that he is ready for, not just an expanded role on the Minnesota Timberwolves’ summer league team, but in their regular season rotation, as well. In seven games from mid-late February, Terrence saw his minutes jump to 24.7 per night.

He responded by averaging 13.7 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game (+28), including two 17 point and one 25 point performance. On February 24, in an overtime win over OKC, Terrence Shannon Jr posted his first career double-double, with 17 points and 11 rebounds.

It took over two series for head coach Chris Finch to deploy TJ in the postseason, but when he did, Shannon Jr again paid off the decision. After seeing nothing but garbage time for weeks, TJ finally averaged double-digit minutes during games three, four and five vs the Thunder, where he averaged 11.7 points and 1.7 rebounds per game.

Watching back this Wolves-Thunder game from February, and while I know it’s not really relevant for this upcoming series (against OKC or DEN), wanted to highlight Terrence Shannon Jr.

I think what I’m going to remember about TJ’s rookie year is he played *exactly* how he was… pic.twitter.com/kQBLxRt2dz

— Dane Moore (@DaneMooreNBA) May 17, 2025

Remember, Terrence Shannon Jr played a lot of college ball. He isn’t as wet-behind-the-ears as others who did not get as much seasoning at that level, like Rob Dillingham. TJ is 24 years old, which is older than Wolves’ superstar Anthony Edwards (23).

Related: TV Voice of Timberwolves Scaling Back Local Duties

But after just two summer league games, Shannon Jr has proven he should probably be sitting with Ant, Naz and his other NBA teammates watching from the front row. Because he is too good to be playing Summer League, which is one reason why the Minnesota Timberwolves have a legitimate chance to win the entire tournament.

Anthony Edwards reaction to the Terrence Shannon Jr. dunk: pic.twitter.com/tc4btzPLOE

— Kyle Theige (@KyleTheige) July 13, 2025

One thing is for sure, after president of basketball operations took two players in the first round, one top-10, this should be the most watched and highly anticipated Wolves Summer League since maybe Karl-Anthony Towns’ rookie summer? It was cancelled in Ant’s draft year (COVID).

Gabe Kalscheur makes 2024 Minnesota Timberwolves Summer League roster

On Sunday, the Wolves released their 2024 roster for Las Vegas next week. Beyond top picks Rob Dillingham and Terrance Shannon Jr., another interesting name stands out. DeLaSalle’s own, Gabe Kalscheur, made the team.

The former Minnesota Gopher turned Iowa State Cyclone is trying to prove to NBA teams that he is worth a spot on their G-League roster and his hometown Timberwolves are giving him that shot (again).

summer Wolves 🎰 pic.twitter.com/GUJhLiCR92

— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) July 7, 2024

Kalscheur has been working out with the Minnesota Timberwolves for a few months, and even ended the 2023-24 G-League season with the Iowa Wolves, where he played 14 games, averaging 4.4 points per game, in 12 minutes played.

If he wants to stay in America and have a shot at finding his way to the NBA someday, the Minnesota native will have to get back to shooting the basketball the way he did when he first stepped foot on Dinkytown campus. Back then, Gabe was one of the best outside shooting prospects to ever come out of Minnesota.

Can Gabe Kalscheur still shoot…?

As a freshman, he shot 41% from deep and looked like one of the most promising young freshman in recent program history. But during his sophomore season, Kalscheur started to struggle with the pressure of playing for his home state team.

Related: Confirmed: Rob Dillingham Will Get Run with Timberwolves Immediately

And once those three’s stopped going in, the noise only got louder, and his shooting only got worse. His 3PT% dropped to 34% in 2019-20, then 24% in 2020-21… his last in Minnesota. In his first season at Iowa State, it dropped even lower to 23%, before finally coming back up to 35% in his final college season.

Unfortunately, moving the line back further at the professional level hasn’t helped. In his first G-League season, Kalscheur shot 28% from three point land, meaning this Summer League appearance might be his final shot before being forced into the real job world, or overseas.

Related: Maybe the Timberwolves Aren’t All That Interested in More PG Help?

Gabe is a great kid and he plays STELLAR defense on the perimeter, both of which play into why he is still getting NBA opportunities. But it’s time to prove he can still shoot the basketball from deep. You can’t be a “Three and D” wing if you can’t do the former anymore.

The Wolves pretty much rolled all the way to the championship game, behind compelling efforts from Keita Bates-Diop, Josh Okogie, Kelan Martin, Jordan Murphy, AND….. Naz Reid, who ended Summer League play with a 4-year contract.

“He’s got the tools and the talent and skill to be a very special player. What he showed in summer league is just scratching the surface”

The Timberwolves feel fortunate to have nabbed Naz Reid, who’s now under team control for up to 4 years https://t.co/LeaMvYqZTP

— jace frederick (@JaceFrederick) July 19, 2019

The real reason Wolves fans should be excited is Naz Reid, . Reid, a 6’ 10” big man from LSU, was a man amongst boys the last 10 days in Vegas. While the 11.9 PPG, 2.0 APG, and 5.4 RPG don’t jump off of the stat sheet, it was the way he did it that should leave fans excited. Reid’s 47% from behind the 3-pt line, going into the championship game, is already better than anyone on the Timberwolves roster.

From the underhand free throws of Canyon Barry to the *next NBA superstar, Naz Reid, the NBA summer league had it all for Wolves fans. It was way more exciting than the regular season will be, where the Wolves will already have lost all hope by Christmas.

While this may just be another example of Minnesota fans and their extreme case of blue-balls, we should thank Naz Reid for finally bringing good news our way. I mean, we couldn’t even keep Tyus Jones. Who the hell is going to back up Teague, at this point? Our biggest offseason addition might seriously be an undrafted free agent. 

No matter how hyped you want to get about Reid’s dominance, you can’t deny the fact that he seems to be one of the only bright spots in what looks to be another dismal season for Wolves fans. 

Cameron Thompson | Minnesota Sports Fan

*: sarcasm