Texas Tech Lands One Slam Dunk On All-Big 12 Preseason Team

Terrence Shannon, Jr. had a foot and a half in the NBA this offseason but decided to return to the Red Raiders providing a huge boost to the newly constructed roster in Mark Adams' first year at the helm.

The Big 12 head coaches recognize the impact that Shannon can have on the 2020-21 Red Raiders and have voted him as a Preseason All-Big 12 Team member.

Joining Shannon are Kansas Jayhawks Remy Martin, Ochai Agbaji, and David McCormack along with Texas' Marcus Carr and Baylor's Matthew Mayer.

Shannon finished last season on the All-Big 12's second team after averaging nearly 13 points per game and four boards while coming off the bench in conference play last season. Shannon's free throw shooting took a step back last season going from 82% to 75%, but his three-point shooting jumped from around 25% to better than 35% from his freshman year to his sophomore year.

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If Shannon Jr. can make another leap this offseason he'll be a certified sharpshooter and a true threat to score from all three levels. Shannon also added 39 assists and 32 steals last year, specializing in perimeter defense that often led to a tomahawk slam on the other end of the floor. Shannon was the second-leading scorer behind Mac McClung on last season's team despite playing the fourth-most minutes and led the team in scoring in the NCAA tournament loss to Arkansas.

According to TexasTech.com:

Shannon is the sixth Red Raider to earn a spot on the Preseason All-Big 12 Team and the first since Zach Smith in the 2017-18 preseason. Cory Carr was the first Texas Tech player to earn selection in 1997 and was followed by Andre Emmett who earned it twice in the 2002-03 and 2003-04 poll. Jarrius Jackson secured a selection in the 2006-07 year and then Smith. Marcus Santos-Silva, who is returning for his super senior season for the Red Raiders, was named the Preseason All-Big 12 Newcomer of the Year last season.

The conference preseason player of the year was awarded to Remy Martin of Kansas, who transferred to the Jayhawks after being a three-time All-Pac 12 player at Arizona State. Marcus Carr was awarded to preseason newcomer of the year after having a solid run at Minnesota and transferring in to play for Chris Beard and the Longhorns. Preseason Freshman of the year went to Kendall Brown at Baylor who is listed as a 6'8" guard/forward hybrid who should fit seamlessly into Scott Drews' system at Baylor.

There were also some honorable mentions that Red Raiders like Kevin McCullar, Kevin Obanor, and Bryson Williams were left out of. The list comprised of James Akinjo (Baylor), Avery Anderson (Oklahoma State), Moussa Cisse (Oklahoma State), Mike Miles (TCU), Andrew Jones (Texas), Tre Mitchell (Texas),  and Taz Sherman (West Virginia) instead.