Terrence Shannon Jr. That’s the name that comes to fans’ minds whenever they discuss a genius who is having a hard time in his life. Shannon Jr. played for the Texas Tech Raiders before changing his college to Illinois Fighting Illini. Shannon Jr. in the NCAA 2023-24 season had plied his trade in 11 games when he was suspended by the university on charges leveled against him. It looked as if Shannon wouldn’t be able to make a comeback, but the final verdict delivered against him was that of not guilty.

Although he lost his race of winning the National Player of the Year Award, nonetheless the university decided to honor his jersey. Shannon Jr. was able to make this projectile journey only with the help of two people who he values the most and who stood beside him through thick and thin. It was none other than his parents.

Who is Terrence Shannon Jr.’s father?

Shannon Jr.’s father’s name is Terrence Shannon Sr. He is currently a coach at FastFenom Training Academy. As per his social media networking platform Instagram bio, he plies his trade as a skills trainer, coach, and mentor. Therefore, it looks like he not only helps his students develop the necessary basketball skills but also takes to their care like a parent much similar to how he has groomed Shannon. 

FastFenom is a training academy that has its offices in two places – Rockledge Florida and Melbourne Florida which shows that despite Shannon being a Chicago star, Shannon Sr. takes his job seriously and is extremely professional. 

Previously he was employed at the SCS Academy in Florida which provides a platform for high school graduates who do not get many offers to represent a college. The Academy helps athletes at the grassroots level to continue their education and still have a chance to study at their favorite college.

Not many know but Shannon Sr. has attended training camp for the Detroit Pistons. He also played for the Roanoke Dazzle and the Leones de Ponce. Born on December 16, 1979, Shannon Sr. went on to take the court for Elgin College Community College after which he started with his professional basketball career.

Who is Terrence Shannon Jr.’s mother?

Although not much information is known about Shannon’s mother, her name is Treanette Redding and she separated from his father when Shannon Jr. was just two years old. As per a social media networking platform X’s post, Shannon Jr. is the firstborn from his mother’s side.

While Shannon Sr. has three more children apart from Shannon Jr., Terrence’s mother has 4 more children. It is commendable to see that despite their separation, the family is close-knit and that can be demonstrated when Shannon Jr. was going through a tough time before college. 

Shannon Jr. played for Lincoln Park during his high school days. He got a chance to participate in the last game for the Park in 2018. But the times were bleak since he didn’t have any offers from NCAA Division 1 school. This definitely hurt Shannon Jr. who was a prodigy during his time.

Even during this time, he got support from Redding who never saw her child lacking in basketball and instead chose to outrightly back him. Thus, Shannon Jr.’s confidence never declined and after some time he was able to bag his first offer from Austin Peay.

Watching her son inch closer to his dreams, Redding burst into emotions and shared that she was in a way feeling “validated.” “I felt like OK, now everybody is seeing what his family has always known,” she said, as per Lubbock Avalance Journal. This incident certainly goes on to prove what his mother means to him and how she has taken her role fully despite separating from his father. 

Shannon Jr.’s worth rose on the recruiting websites and he finally decided to commit to Texas Tech. Previously, he also got an offer from DePaul that looked good to Shannon Jr. but then he chose the Raiders over anyone else. 

The camaraderie continues

Even when Shannon Jr. graduated from Illinois, his mother couldn’t hold herself back from posting on X. She posted Shannon Jr.’s picture in Illinois’s orange color and blue drape. She looked extremely proud of her son’s achievements. “My firstborn my oldest “baby” graduates today. I am truly proud of all that you accomplished throughout your almost 24 years! I have a college graduate! TJ always remember GOD can and GOD will!,” wrote Redding. 

The camaraderie between the mother and son is such that Shannon Jr. called his mother his “twin” when he wished her on Mother’s Day on Instagram with a post. The duo was spotted wearing the same black jersey with their names inscribed on it. 

It certainly looks like Shannon Jr. has acquired his balling skills from his father while his mother has shared with him the tough, resilient spirit. Now that Shannon Jr. is ready for the NBA draft and is projected as the 27th overall pick in ESPN’s mock draft, hopefully, his parents will continue to shower the same love on him and soon he will be playing for his favorite team, keeping his parents with him through highs and lows.

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the infamous Shaq-Kobe feud, Caitlin Clark’s Olympic snub, and more, watch this video.