Recent news has been swirling around the University of Illinois basketball team after one of their star players, Terrence Shannon Jr., was suspended following a rape charge. Shannon Jr., a freshman guard from Lincolnshire, Illinois, was arrested on February 28th and charged with criminal sexual assault.
The University of Illinois released a statement on the matter, saying that they are aware of the situation and that they take all allegations of sexual misconduct seriously. They also said that Shannon Jr. has been suspended from all team activities pending the outcome of the investigation.
Shannon Jr. had been a key player for the Illini this season, averaging 11.4 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. He was also named to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team earlier this year.
The news of Shannon Jr.’s suspension has been met with shock and disappointment from many in the Illinois basketball community. His former high school coach, John Groce, spoke out about the situation, saying that he was “saddened” by the news and that he hopes for a resolution that is fair to everyone involved.
It is unclear at this time what will happen next in this case. Shannon Jr. is currently out on bond and is due back in court on March 16th. In the meantime, the University of Illinois will continue to monitor the situation and take appropriate action as needed.
This is certainly a difficult situation for all involved. No matter what the outcome of this case may be, it is important to remember that sexual assault is a serious crime and should never be taken lightly.