Former Illinois guard Terrence Shannon Jr. found not guilty of sexual assault

Six-month legal battle comes to an end

Former Illinois star Terrence Shannon Jr. has been found not guilty of sexual assault by a Kansas jury. The verdict came after a six-month legal battle that began when Shannon was initially charged in October 2022.

The charges stemmed from an alleged incident that occurred in April 2022 at an off-campus apartment. Shannon was accused of raping a fellow student after a night of drinking.

Shannon has maintained his innocence throughout the legal process. His attorney, Steve Haney, said he was "relieved and grateful" for the jury's verdict.

"This has been a long and difficult ordeal for Terrence," Haney said. "We are glad that the jury saw through the false allegations and that he can now put this behind him."

The verdict is a major victory for Shannon, who was considered one of the top recruits in the country coming out of high school. He was a key part of Illinois' success last season, averaging 23 points per game.

It is unclear what the future holds for Shannon. He has one year of eligibility remaining at Illinois, but he could also opt to declare for the NBA draft.

Regardless of his basketball future, Shannon is likely relieved to have this legal battle behind him. He can now focus on his career and move on with his life.