CHAMPAIGN, Illinois – Illinois basketball player Terrence Shannon Jr. will be taking an indefinite break from the sport as a federal judge has postponed the decision on his request for a temporary restraining order and immediate reinstatement. Shannon Jr.’s legal team recently presented their case to U.S. District Judge Colleen R. Lawless, who has taken the matter “under advisement” and will reach a verdict at a later date. This means that Shannon Jr. will remain suspended from the team for the time being.
The suspension of Shannon Jr. stems from his arrest and subsequent charges of rape that occurred back in December 2023. According to reports, Shannon Jr. allegedly sexually assaulted a woman at a bar in Lawrence, Kansas, in September of that year. The victim reported the incident to the police, leading to Shannon Jr.’s arrest.
To challenge his suspension and seek reinstatement, Shannon Jr. is pursuing a restraining order from the University of Illinois. In a lawsuit filed by his attorneys, they argue that the university hastily jumped to conclusions without following proper protocols when imposing the suspension.
The charges against Shannon Jr. are severe, as he has been accused of engaging in non-consensual sexual intercourse using force or fear. It is an offense classified as a level 1 person felony. As the criminal case proceeds, Shannon Jr. is scheduled to enter a plea of not guilty to the charge of sexual battery on January 18.
If the federal judge denies Shannon Jr.’s request for a restraining order, it is unlikely that he will participate in the remainder of the college basketball season. In the meantime, the star player will continue to await the judge’s ruling and prepare for his upcoming criminal trial.
In summary, Illinois basketball player Terrence Shannon Jr. will be kept away from the sport while awaiting a federal judge’s decision on his request for a temporary restraining order and immediate reinstatement. Shannon Jr. faces serious charges of rape and is currently suspended from the team. His legal team is seeking to overturn the suspension, arguing that the university acted hastily and failed to follow proper procedures. A verdict from the judge is still pending, and Shannon Jr. is expected to plead not guilty to the charges in his criminal trial.