Illinois Basketball Star is a Model of Hard Work

Illinois Basketball Star is a Model of Hard Work

Illinois Basketball has been blessed with some great players over the past decade. Despite a lack of postseason success, Illinois has successfully returned to being a consistent competitor in the Big Ten conference and in the country. Brad Underwood obviously deserves a lot of success for building a sustainable culture and attracting legitimate basketball players who have become some of the top players in the country. Ayo Dosunmu, Kofi Cockburn, and Terrence Shannon Jr are probably the three most notable “faces” of the Illinois Basketball program this past decade. Kofi Cockburn led the way with his physical traits and infectious joy on and off the court. However, Ayo Dosunmu and Terrence Shannon Jr are two different kind of stars.

Both Dosunmu and Shannon Jr are in-state, Chicago natives who have embraced their own home state. Shannon Jr has as good a chance as any Illinois Basketball product to mimic the path to the NBA that Dosunmu has recently paved.

Killer work ethic.

Ayo Dosunmu was probably the first Illinois Basketball player in recent memory to be known for his professional work ethic. Even though guys like Malcolm Hill, Demetri McCamey and Brandon Paul all did their best in trying to lead, Ayo Dosunmu had a specific edge about him. There was this aura that Dosunmu carried on and off the court that just made fans a believer. In addition to that aura, Dosunmu hit clutch shot after clutch shot in key moments. Terrence Shannon Jr may not have shown that he is the “closer” like Ayo was, however, Terrence Shannon Jr carries that aura.

The aura of hard work and of being an in-state kid leading the state school to prominence. In a recent video by the official Illinois Basketball social media account, Terrence took us fans through a normal day in his life.

4:45 am: Arrive at Ubben

5:00 am: Shooting

6:15 am: Smoothie & Massage with Fletch

7:30 am: Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber

9:30 am: Media & Promo Shoot

Noon: Lift

12:30 pm: Practice

3:00 pm: Red Light Sauna

3:30 pm: Lunch

4:30 pm: Hot Tub

5:30 pm: Head home

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