After less than two hours of deliberation, a jury in Douglas County, Kansas, delivered a verdict of not guilty for Terrence Shannon Jr. The former Illinois standout, who is a potential first-round NBA draft pick, had been charged with rape.
Last September, Shannon, who was 23 years old at the time, faced accusations of sexual assault while attending a football game between the Illini and the Jayhawks in Kansas. He was charged with either rape or an alternative count of sexual battery, which resulted in a six-game suspension. However, a federal judge later overturned the suspension, ruling that Shannon’s civil rights had been violated.
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During his testimony, Shannon stated that he accompanied a group of Kansas players and two roommates to a bar on September 8, 2023. He confirmed that he only consumed a few drinks and had complete recollection of the events that took place that night. Shannon also revealed that he was unaware of the rape accusation until several weeks later and that he had no prior interaction with the 18-year-old woman who accused him until the case was initiated.
According to the police report, the woman was at the bar when Shannon approached her and made unwanted physical advances. He grabbed her buttocks and even went as far as to reach under her skirt. The woman was unable to move due to the crowded bar. After the incident, she reported it to the authorities.
During his testimony, Shannon mentioned that a woman he knew had been raped, and he vowed to never treat another woman with the same disrespect.
The lawyers representing Shannon have dismissed the allegations as baseless and unfounded, referring to them as a “blind accusation.” They have also raised concerns regarding the intentions of the woman making the accusation. In addition, the legal team has criticized the prosecutors in Douglas County, citing a lack of evidence to support the allegations. They have also criticized the detective in Lawrence for not conducting a thorough investigation.
Scouts have been closely monitoring the case in anticipation of the NBA draft, set to take place on June 26-27.
Standing tall at 6-foot-6, Shannon is a versatile basketball player who can excel both as a point guard and shooting guard. He spent five seasons playing for Illinois and showcased his skills in the most recent season. With an average of 23 points per game, he proved to be a valuable asset to his team, which made it to the Elite Eight before falling to the eventual national champions, UConn.
The Associated Press recognized Shannon’s exceptional talent by awarding her first-team All-Big Ten and third-team All-American titles.
