Sam Vecenie and The Athletic staff, writing for The Athletic, has the story on the return of two important pieces on the Men’s Basketball team at the University of Illinois.

Illinois guard Terrence Shannon Jr. and forward Coleman Hawkins are withdrawing from the 2023 NBA Draft and will return to Champaign next season, they announced separately on social media Wednesday. 

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The Illini have one of the most talented rosters in the Big Ten entering the season. It’s difficult to find another team in the country with as much experienced depth on the wing as Illinois figures to have next season, with Shannon and rising sophomore Ty Rodgers coming back and joining transfers Marcus Domask and Quincy Guerrier.

Then on top of it, the frontcourt will also be loaded with Hawkins and returning center Dain Dainja. They’ll be able to play bigger lineups with Dainja and Guerrier at the 4 and 5, or could even run out smaller units with Guerrier at the 5 surrounded by Domask and Shannon on the wings.

The only question they’ll need to answer comes in the backcourt. Can Justin Harmon or Sencire Harris handle the lead responsibilities? 

Neither Harmon or Harris is the answer at point guard. I want RayJ Dennis, but I’m not feeling very good about it.