Former Illinois star Terrence Shannon Jr., potential NBA first-round draft pick, not guilty of rape

Former Illinois star player Terrence Shannon Jr., a potential first-round NBA draft pick, was found not guilty on a rape charge Thursday after a jury in Douglas County, Kansas, spent less than two hours deliberating the verdict.

Shannon, 23, was accused of sexually assaulting a player during a football game between the Illini and Jayhawks in Kansas last September. He was charged with rape and sexual assault, which led to a six-game suspension. A federal judge later reinstated him, ruling that his civil rights had been violated.

Shannon testified that he went to a bar with two roommates and some Kansas players on September 8, 2023, but only had a few drinks and remembered everything that happened that night. Shannon said he did not learn of the rape allegation until several weeks later and never saw the 18-year-old woman who accused him until the trial began.

The woman told police she was in the bar when a man she later identified as Shannon grabbed her butt and reached up her skirt to touch her. The woman claimed the bar was crowded so she couldn’t move.

Shannon testified that a woman close to him had been raped and that he would never treat another woman that way again.

Shannon’s lawyers called the allegations a “blind accusation” and questioned the woman’s motives. They also criticized Douglas County prosecutors for a lack of evidence and a Lawrence detective for the thoroughness of his investigation.

Many scouts had been closely monitoring the case ahead of the NBA draft, which is scheduled for June 26 and 27.

The 6-foot-6 Shannon, who can play both point guard and shooting guard, played five seasons for Illinois. He was at his best last season, averaging 23 points for a team that reached the Elite Eight before losing to eventual national champion UConn.

Shannon was selected to the All-Big Ten first team and third team All-American by the Associated Press.

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AP College Basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball