Former Illinois star Terrence Shannon Jr. found not guilty of rape in Douglas County
Former Illinois guard Terrence Shannon was acquitted of a rape charge by a Douglas County jury on Thursday.
Shannon was accused of rape while visiting Lawrence to watch a September college football game between Kansas and Illinois. Shannon was charged on Dec. 5 with one count each of rape and sexual battery.
The jury found Shannon not guilty on both charges.
Illinois suspended Shannon after the charges were announced, but a federal judge’s ruling — that the suspension violated his rights — led to his reinstatement after six games. The Lawrence Journal-World reported that current KU basketball player Hunter Dickinson and former Kansas player Kevin McCullar testified on Shannon’s behalf on Wednesday.
At the trial, the AP reported that Shannon testified he joined two roommates and a few Kansas players at a bar on Sept. 8, 2023. He said he only had a few drinks and remembered the entire night. Shannon also said he had never seen the 18-year-old woman who accused him before.
The woman accused Shannon of grabbing her buttocks and sexually assaulting her underneath her skirt. The woman added that due to it being a crowded bar, she couldn’t move.
According to the Lawrence Times, Shannon denied any wrongdoing.
“I never touched, pulled over, raped or sexually assaulted the alleged victim,” Shannon said.
Shannon’s case was closely watched by NBA teams as he’s projected as a late first-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. He averaged 23 points and four rebounds for Illinois last season and was a first-team All-Big Ten selection.
