Illinois' Terrence Shannon Jr. Charged With Rape, Suspended

CHAMPAIGN, IL — Illinois guard and top NBA prospect Terrence Shannon Jr. was suspended from the Illini after being charged with rape by authorities in Kansas, university officials confirmed Thursday.

An arrest warrant was issued Wednesday for Shannon out of Douglas County in Kansas, the university said in a news release, adding Shannon traveled Thursday to Lawrence, Kansas, presented himself to authorities, posted bail and is returning to Champaign. Shannon’s bail was set at $50,000, according to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.

Campus officials had been aware of a police investigation involving Shannon since late September but did not receive actionable information until Wednesday, according to the school. Shannon was suspended by the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics effective immediately from all team activities, in alignment with university policy, the news release said.

“The University and DIA have shown time and again that we have zero tolerance for sexual misconduct,” Illinois Athletic Director Josh Whitman said in the news release. “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.”

Whitman is expected to address the matter during a media availability at 6 p.m. Friday before Illinois’ home game vs. Fairleigh Dickinson.

The rape is alleged to have occurred while Shannon was in Lawrence for an Illinois vs. Kansas football game on Sept. 8, which he attended as a spectator and not on official university business or as a member of the university’s travel party, according to the school.

A fifth-year athlete from Chicago, Shannon is slated as a first-round NBA draft pick in mock drafts and was named to several preseason All-American teams and unanimously to the preseason All-Big Ten Team.

Averaging 21.7 points per game, Shannon is the Illini's leading scorer. He also posted a team-high 28 assists and 11 steals this season. His season highlights include 33 points on Dec. 5 against Florida Atlantic and 38 minutes of play on Dec. 17 against Colgate.

With a 9-2 record, the Illini are ranked No. 11 by the Associated Press.

Shannon previously played for Texas Tech and attended IMG Academy in Florida after four years at Lincoln Park High School in Chicago.