Illinois to honor Terrence Shannon Jr. with jersey in rafters at State Farm Center

Former Illinois star men’s basketball player Terrence Shannon Jr. will have his jersey honored and raised in the rafters of State Farm Center with other Illini men’s basketball greats, athletic director Josh Whitman shared on Thursday, according to The News-Gazette’s Scott Richey. An exception is apparently being made to include Shannon among the honored players.

Illinois had been mum on honoring him as Shannon mounted a defense in a criminal case after being charged with rape in Kansas in 2023. Shannon was found not guilty by a jury on June 13, 2024, clearing the way for NBA teams to more seriously consider him as a prospect and for the Illini to bestow this honor.

Illinois explains the set of criteria for a player to have their jersey raised to the rafters, and a player must have met at least one from the list. The criteria are:

1. National Player of the Year
2. Enshrined in the National Basketball Hall of Fame
3. Big Ten Player of the Year
4. Consensus First- or Second-Team All-American
5. Illinois All-Century Team Member
6. Individual whose pioneering efforts made a significant impact on Illinois and international basketball

Shannon, however, did not clearly accomplish any of those feats (No. 6 is fairly subjective), though there is an argument to be made — and some have made it — that his suspension early in the 2023-24 season stemming from the rape charges and associated perception cost Shannon some All-American votes. His suspension, handed down by Illinois athletics, was shortly ended when a judge provided injunctive relief that said Illinois had erred in following proper procedures in suspending Shannon. Shannon was suspended from late December 2023 until January 19, 2024.

Shannon was selected as a third-team All-American for the 2023-24 season.

Both Whitman and men’s basketball head coach Brad Underwood issued statements when Shannon was found not guilty.

“All of us who know and care about Terrence breathed a tremendous sigh of relief with the announcement of today’s not guilty verdict,” Whitman said in a statement. “This has been a very serious and unfortunate situation for all parties involved, and I am happy for Terrence that it has been resolved and his name has been cleared. We look forward to cheering for him as he begins his NBA journey.”

Underwood echoed that sentiment.

“I am thrilled for Terrence with the news of today’s verdict,” Underwood said, per Jon Rothstein. “Under six months of intense scrutiny, Terrence has shown tremendous composure, maturity, and focus. He can now put this behind him and move forward with his life. I, along with everyone in our Illinois Basketball program, will continue to offer Terrence our full support as he looks to fulfill his NBA dreams.”