Illinois Men’s Basketball Suspends Terrence Shannon Jr. Following Rape Charge

The All-American candidate turned himself in to authorities in Lawrence, Kans. on Thursday.
Illinois Men’s Basketball Suspends Terrence Shannon Jr. Following Rape Charge
Illinois Men’s Basketball Suspends Terrence Shannon Jr. Following Rape Charge /

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.”

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.


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Mike McDaniel
MIKE MCDANIEL

Mike McDaniel is a staff writer on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated, where he has worked since January 2022. His work has been featured at InsideTheACC.com, SB Nation, FanSided and more. McDaniel hosts the Hokie Hangover Podcast, covering Virginia Tech athletics, as well as Basketball Conference: The ACC Football Podcast. Outside of work, he is a husband and father, and an avid golfer.