The University of Illinois men’s basketball program has suspended star wing Terrence Shannon Jr., effective immediately, after an arrest warrant was issued for Shannon on a rape charge.
“On Wednesday, the Douglas (Kansas) County District Attorney issued a warrant for the arrest of Terrence Shannon Jr.,” the release said. “Per policy, the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics (DIA) has suspended Shannon from all team activities, effective immediately.”
Full release on @IlliniMBB suspension of Terrence Shannon Jr.: pic.twitter.com/ysR5ZnYNdz
— Andy Katz (@TheAndyKatz) December 28, 2023
The release from the school said that the rape charge stems from an alleged incident when Shannon visited Lawrence, Kans. to attend the Illinois-Kansas football game on Sept. 8 as a spectator. He traveled to Lawrence on Thursday and turned himself in to authorities and posted bail before returning to Champaign.
Shannon’s attorney, Mark Sutter, released a statement regarding the allegations against his client on Thursday.
“Since September, when these allegations surfaced, Terrence has cooperated with law enforcement throughout the investigation, declaring his innocence from the beginning,” Sutter said. “Now, several months later, my office learned that formal charges were filed against him yesterday in Lawrence, KS. In less than 24 hours, my client responded, and he voluntarily surrendered to local authorities. Terrence is innocent of these charges, and he intends to take his case to trial.”
Shannon has been one of the best players in college basketball this season, averaging a team-high 21.7 points per game.
The No. 11 Illini are back on the floor to face Fairleigh Dickinson on Friday night.
