Terrence Shannon Jr.'s Rape Trial Set for June, Despite Illinois Investigation Dismissal

Former Illinois star guard Terrence Shannon Jr. has been ordered to stand trial on a rape charge in Kansas, despite the university dropping its investigation.

Former University of Illinois star guard Terrence Shannon Jr. has been ordered to stand trial on a rape charge in Kansas, despite the university dropping its investigation.

Shannon was suspended from the basketball team in December when he was initially charged, stemming from an alleged incident in September. He was reinstated in January after missing six games after a federal judge granted his motion for a temporary restraining order against the school.

However, a Kansas judge ruled on Friday that there was probable cause for a trial.

Prosecutors in Douglas County charged Shannon on Dec. 5 with rape or an alternative count of sexual battery. The complaint says the accuser was born in 2005.

The alleged victim told police Shannon pulled her toward him, put his hands under her skirt and touched her sexually. She said the bar was so crowded she couldn't "do anything," an affidavit said.

Shannon pleaded not guilty on Friday and testified that he never touched the woman.

As a fifth-year student this past season, Shannon led the Illini in scoring (23.0 points per game) and helped them reach the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament before losing to eventual champion UConn.

Shannon transferred to Illinois from Texas Tech prior to the start of the 2021-22 season.

Shannon was projected to be a first-round pick prior to the legal case. The trial is set to begin June 10, roughly two weeks before this year's NBA Draft.

In April, the University of Illinois announced that it had dropped its investigation into the allegations against Shannon.

The university said in a statement that it "conducted a thorough and impartial investigation into the allegations against Mr. Shannon" but "did not find sufficient evidence to support the allegations."

Shannon's attorney, Mark Sutter, said in a statement that he was "pleased that the University of Illinois has finally done the right thing and dismissed its baseless investigation into my client."

"We have maintained from the beginning that Mr. Shannon is innocent of these charges, and we look forward to clearing his name," Sutter said.

The legal battle over Shannon's case is ongoing.

A motion hearing is scheduled for June 5, and the trial is set to begin June 10.

Shannon's attorney has said that he is confident that his client will be exonerated at trial.

"We are confident that Mr. Shannon will be exonerated at trial and that his name will be cleared," Sutter said. "We look forward to presenting our evidence and letting the jury decide this case based on the facts."