Author: David Shama

David Shama is a former sports editor and columnist with local publications. His writing and reporting experiences include covering the Minnesota Vikings, Minnesota Twins, Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Gophers. Shama’s career experiences also include sports marketing. He is the former Marketing Director of the Minnesota North Stars of the NHL. He is also the former Marketing Director of the United States Tennis Association’s Northern Section. A native of Minneapolis, Shama has been part of the community his entire life. He is a graduate of the University of Minnesota where he majored in journalism. He also has a Master’s degree in education from the University of St. Thomas. He was a member of the Governor’s NBA’s Task Force to help create interest in bringing pro basketball to town in the 1980s.

Golden Gophers Football Recruiting Alert: Mataalii Benjamin

Posted on May 28, 2025May 28, 2025 by David Shama

The first of two Gophers Summer Splash weekends starts on Friday in Minneapolis. The invitation only event is for high school football players Minnesota is targeting for its recruiting class of 2026.

The attendees will number about 25, including 10 who already have made verbal commitments to the Gophers, per recruiting authority Ryan Burns from Gopher Illustrated and 247Sports. He talked to Sports Headliners about prospects who already are, or will be, of high interest to Minnesota fans.

Yes, Burns said the Gopher coaches would be “through the roof” in the coming days if they received a verbal commitment from the state’s No. 1 ranked player, Roman Voss from Jackson.

“I’d also tell you they’d love to add a kid from Utah named Mataalii Benjamin who is a very high upside offensive tackle,” Burns said. “And being able to add tackle bodies is very important. They’re one of the toughest things to find across college football because they’re always in such high demand.

“Benjamin has offers from all over the country but being able to get him on campus this weekend is very important for them. …I think he’s one of the higher upside guys that they’ve been targeting along the offensive line in some time.”

A player Burns is locked in on is wide receiver Hayden Moore from Newberry, Florida. After Moore verbally committed to the Gophers, he picked up an offer from Big Ten power Penn State and he is “tentatively” scheduled to visit there next month, per Burns who is curious to learn the Florida native’s thoughts after this weekend.

Voss is the player who Gopher fans have zeroed in on. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound prospect is so versatile he could be a possibility at multiple positions in college, but Burns predicts he will be a tight end.

“I think he’s going to be a great college tight end,” Burns said. He added that Voss “is as athletically gifted a tight end as I’ve seen come out of this state since Brevyn Spann-Ford (former Gopher now with the NFL Cowboys).”

Burns said in college Voss could remind him of former Iowa All-American Sam LaPorta, now a standout tight end for the NFL Lions. He added that Voss and his family are on board with his playing tight end in college.

At one time it was thought Voss, who is expected at Summer Splash, might choose Iowa. The Hawkeyes are known as a tight ends factory and Jackson is near the Iowa border. “Iowa is not in it for (securing) Roman Voss,” Burns said.

Voss is “essentially bound” to either Alabama or Minnesota, per Burns who said the coveted prospect will visit the Crimson Tide in June with indications a college destination will be made after that. Jackson is a short drive to Sioux Falls, South Dakota where Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer became acquainted with southwest Minnesota recruiting when he was leading the program at the University of Sioux Falls.

Four-star state of Minnesota recruits Howie Johnson, a defensive lineman from Forest Lake, and Andrew Trout, an offensive tackle from Cold Spring, are already Gopher commits and expected to be at Summer Splash. They are players Burns believes could contribute early in their college careers.

The next highest ranked in-state player is high three-star Dodge Center athlete Pierce Petersohn who is also expected to attend Summer Splash. Burns said the uncommitted Petersohn is projected as a college linebacker by Minnesota and Iowa State, and a tight end by Penn State. “He’s going to take official visits to all three of those schools coming up here in the next month or so, and then he’s going to try and figure out what’s best for him.”

How does Burns view the quality and depth of talent in the state for the class of 2026? “I just don’t think it’s a very good year in the state of Minnesota to be quite honest with you. I think it’s a below average year. It’s a year where you’ve got a lot of high-end guys at the top. Guys like Roman Voss, Howie Johnson, Andrew Trout, Pierce Petersohn, but I think the cliff drops off pretty steeply after the top five I would say; top maybe 6, 7, 8. …In terms of depth I don’t think it’s a great year.”

Despite not being that enthused about the in-state talent depth, Burns believes the 2026 Gopher recruiting class could be one of the best since head coach P.J. Fleck came to Minnesota in 2017. Burns offered praise to the staff for getting in early with a lot of their targets and building relationships.

An example is offensive tackle Daniel McMorris from Oklahoma who is expected at Summer Splash. Burns said Minnesota was the first school to offer McMorris but now he has over 20 offers including Wisconsin and Stanford.

To make this one of Fleck’s best classes Burns said the Gophers will need a “great next 30 days of recruiting.” He projects by the end of June the 2026 Minnesota will have “north of 20” verbal commitments.

The Gophers will host a second Summer Splash June 13-15, with a smaller number of targets expected to attend, per Burns.

Under NCAA rules, prep players can’t make signed agreements with schools for several months from now.

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Shannon Overcame Challenges to Become Wolves Hero

Posted on May 25, 2025July 8, 2025 by David Shama

Terrence Shannon Jr. came off the bench last night to ignite his teammates and the Target Center crowd as the Timberwolves defeated the Thunder 143-101. He contributed to the team energy and physicality that overwhelmed the Thunder and delivered the first win for Minnesota in Game 3 of the best of seven Western Conference Finals series.

The seldom used rookie, 23 years old, scored 15 points in 13 minutes, making five of eight shots and all four of his free throws. He was electric dribbling toward the basket and also hit a three-pointer as the Wolves set a franchise playoff record scoring 143 points. He joined a stealth defensive effort by his teammates, too, and had a steal.

Shannon had played briefly in six previous playoff games, averaging one point. He entered the game last night in the second quarter when the score was somewhat competitive and when he left the floor he had scored nine points in four minutes. The delirious crowd gave him a standing ovation.

What prompted coach Chris Finch to use the 6-4, 220-pound guard so early in the game? Well, he was looking for an additional talent to be part of the player rotation. And he hit the jackpot with Shannon who played in just 32 regular season games and averaged 4.3 points.

“…He’s just a guy that can stretch the floor in transition,” Finch said. “Downhill player, got a good body…we needed some physicality out there. Kind of just a different type of player than we have in other positions, so, we kind of knew coming into the game what we were gonna get.”

Shannon certainly delivered last night, just like he did at Illinois where he was a third team All-American in 2023-2024 averaging 23 points per game. “… I feel like with the way I play, the defense has to adjust to me because I’m going so fast and fearless downhill that they gotta adjust. And when they crowd the paint, I’m gonna kick it out, and if they don’t, I’m just gonna score the ball.”

Shannon was a hero last night but his journey to the NBA has produced challenges. The Wolves selected him at No. 27 in the first round in the 2024 NBA Draft last June, just a couple weeks after a Kansas jury found him not guilty of raping an 18-year-old woman.

The alleged crime hung over Shannon for much of his senior season at Illinois and potentially jeopardized his pro future. The verdict last June brought closure and Wolves president of basketball operations Tim Connelly saw a prospect with tantalizing offensive skills to attack the basket, along with the athleticism and instinct to be a special contributor defensively.

Shannon didn’t draw much attention from Division I schools when he was a high school player in Chicago. So he spent a year in prep school, at IMG Academy in Florida. He made himself into a four-star, top 100 recruit.

He played three seasons at Texas Tech where he did make the Big 12 All-Freshman team in 2019-2020. But he didn’t show the drastic improvement for the Red Raiders that he achieved at Illinois where he averaged 17.2 points per game his first season and then followed up with a senior season that included being named the Big Ten Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player as the Illini defeated Wisconsin for the tourney championship.

Edwards, Finch photo courtesy of Minnesota Timberwolves

Shannon values being a good teammate. At Illinois, he wanted his bio to include that he was the funniest guy on the team. In Minneapolis he hit it off with superstar Anthony Edwards, 23, who had a game-high 30 points last night.

“That’s my dog man,” Shannon said. “We talk all the time, give each other feedback. …We both work hard, and we love the game, so we gelled right away when I got here.”

Wolves Notes

The Wolves had a noticeable difference compared with the Thunder in energy and physicality from the game’s start. Minnesota led 34-14 after the first quarter and then 72-41 at halftime.

“…They were here to play, and they did everything correctly from the jump,” said Thunder coach Mark Daigneault . “Dug ourselves a hole. I thought we tried to jump out a couple different times, but they did a good job holding us off as well. We can learn from it, obviously. Not our best punch, but again, we tip our hats to them.”

Led by Shannon’s playoff career-high 15 points off the bench, the Wolves subs scored a postseason franchise-high 66 points in the victory, besting the previous high by 20 points (46: May 8, 2025, against the Warriors).

The Wolves had seven players with 10-plus points (Edwards: 30, Julius Randle: 24, Shannon: 15, Nickeil Alexander-Walker: 12, Leonard Miller: 11, Naz Reid: 10, Jaden McDaniels: 10). That set a franchise record for most players with 10-plus points in a playoff game.

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Wolves-Thunder Playoff Intrigue Includes Officiating

Posted on May 20, 2025May 20, 2025 by David Shama

Scatter gunning about the Timberwolves-Thunder playoff series that starts tonight in Oklahoma City.

It will be intriguing to see how excessive the physical play will be in the best of seven games Western Conference Finals and how much aggression is allowed by the referees. There’s been plenty of the rough stuff in the NBA playoffs so far, and sometimes it’s been extreme.

“I don’t even know what a foul is any more in the NBA,” a former NBA scout told Sports Headliners Monday.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, he added this about the Wolves-Thunder series: “You know it’s going to be physical.”

Both teams have strong, athletic, aggressive players who can push the limits with the referees, but he believes the Wolves are the more physical bunch. He expects, for instance, Thunder MVP and high scoring guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) will get knocked on his butt by the Wolves when driving toward the basket.

If the refs “swallow their whistles” regarding SGA, that will be a new trend. He is averaging 8.7 free throw attempts and converting 85.4 percent in the playoffs.

The Wolves showed a physical style of defense, offense and rebounding in their two previous playoff series this spring. They overwhelmed both the Lakers and Warriors in five games.

Now the Wolves have a much more challenging opponent in the Thunder, the gambling favorite to win the NBA championship in June. The Wolves will try to pull off an upset against a team that had an NBA best 68-14 regular season record.

Wolves coach Chris Finch complained during the regular season about how much Thunder players foul. That style isn’t likely to change starting tonight. So, it’s difficult to predict how an “anything goes” officiated game will favor two teams who are both long on finesse but capable of mucking things up.

The former scout thinks the two teams are “evenly” matched. “I like the Wolves chances (to win the series),” he said.

While SGA may be announced any day now as the 2025 NBA MVP, he thinks Wolves superstar guard Anthony Edwards is the better player. “As he goes, so go the Wolves,” said the source who also was a former college coach.

SGA, 26, is averaging 29 points, 5.9 rebounds and 6.4 assists in the playoffs this spring. Edwards, 23, is at 26.5, 8 and 5.9, and is the superior defensive player.

It wouldn’t be surprising to see Edwards guarding SGA at big moments in the series, although Minnesota defensive stopper Jaden McDaniels, 6-foot-9, is another superb defender the Thunder scoring machine will have to deal with. If the Wolves double and triple team SGA, they will gamble that his teammates won’t take advantage of open looks.

The Thunder have their own “defensive devils” including swingman Alex Caruso. At 6-foot-5 and playing like a pit bull, he could be a potential stopper against either of the Wolves’ leading scorers in Edwards and Julius Randle.

Minneapolis native Chet Holmgren, at 7-foot-1, gives the Thunder one of the best rim protectors in the league. He is averaging 2.2 blocks per game in the playoffs, and his wingspan alters plenty of shots. He is also an offensive challenge to opponents, able to shoot three pointers and score close to the basket.

Holmgren, a center-forward, is averaging a Thunder third best 15.1 points per game in the playoffs. The Wolves will also have to defend the OKC second leading scorer in guard-forward Jalen Williams averaging 19.6 points.

The Thunder are No. 1 among NBA playoff teams in both defensive rating and steals per game. The Wolves are second and fourth.

The Thunder top the Wolves in most team stats during the playoffs including points per game, rebounds and assists. Oklahoma City’s net rating of 13.5 is best in the post season.

Randle, averaging 23.9 in the playoffs and showing playmaking skills, will be pivotal to Minnesota’s success. He will have to contribute or even lead the Wolves in scoring to relieve some burden off Edwards.

That kind of help will be important, too, from McDaniels who has emerged in 2025 as a potential 20-point scorer with his ability to make three-point shots and drive to the basket. Naz Reid, often referred to as the NBA’s best sub, is expected to deliver instant offense with his trademark three-point shooting.

To fully click offensively, the Wolves will need around 30 minutes each game from 37-year-old veteran point guard Mike Conley. Minnesota is a better team when Conley is directing the offense with his patience and wisdom. The Wolves can’t afford his absence because they have no one else like him. The Thunder thrive on turning turnovers into points.

Center Rudy Gobert, at 7-1 and 258 pounds, leads the Wolves rim protection. He can also chair the “welcoming committee” when SGA attacks the rim. The balancing act will be for Gobert to avoid foul trouble. On offense, it would be nice if Gobert’s clumsy hands allow him to cleanly handle passes from teammates who often deliver the ball too low. Also, if he can average double figures in rebounds, that will be a big factor in the series, too.

Both the Thunder and Wolves have deep rotations. Superb contributions by a bench player or two could tip the series, or at least a game or two.

Hear that, Donte DiVincenzo? The Wolves 6-4 combo guard is making a miserable 33.3 percent of his field goal attempts in the playoffs.

Win the series and the Wolves go to the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history. It’s a matchup of two teams with talented, versatile players, explosive offenses, stingy defenses and deep rotations. Heck, even the two fan bases are similar with delirious partisans in both Oklahoma City and Minneapolis.

Prediction? I’ll take the Thunder in six. OKC is collectively just better than the Wolves. If you don’t like the prediction, send “flowers” to the former NBA scout who likes the Wolves chances.

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