University of Illinois basketball player Terrence Shannon Jr. has been dismissed from the program after he was arrested and charged with ra::pe by police on Thursday.
Shannon, 23, has been facing allegations relating to an incident that allegedly occurred in Lawrence, Kansas, when he attended a football game back in September, although he was not part of the team’s travelling party.
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The Douglas (Kansas) County district attorney issued a warrant for his arrest on Wednesday, charging him with ra::pe or an alternative count of sexual battery. According to AP, the complaint lists the accuser as being born in 2005.
Shannon voluntarily turned himself into authorities in Lawrence on Thursday and posted $50,000 bail, allowing him to be released from custody and head back to Illinois.
Chicago-based attorney Mark Sutter, acting on behalf of Shannon, has stated that his client is “innocent” and will attempt to clear his name at trial. If he is found guilty of the ra::pe charge, he faces spending 12 and 54 years behind bars, while the battery charge carries a fine of up to $2,500 and up to a year in jail.
One for the history books.#Illini | #HTTO | #EveryDayGuys pic.twitter.com/fxiY5ejteM
— Illinois Men's Basketball (@IlliniMBB) December 23, 2023
Shannon suspended from Illinois program
According to Illinois’ athletic director Josh Whitman, the program was first alerted of the incident allegedly involving their player in late September but did not receive full details on the case until this week.
Upon learning that Shannon had been charged, the University announced Shannon would be suspended from the team effective immediately.
“The University and DIA (Division of Intercollegiate Athletics) have shown time and again that we have zero tolerance for sexual misconduct,” Whitman said in a statement.
“At the same time, DIA policy affords student-athletes appropriate levels of due process based on the nature and severity of the allegations. We will rely on that policy and our prior experiences to manage this situation appropriately for the University and the involved parties.”
Shannon has been tipped as a rising star in Big Ten basketball, averaging the second-highest points per game tally. In 11 games this season, Shannon averaged 21.7 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists.
