The Illinois men's basketball team is off to a 9-2 start and is firmly in the top 25. However, the Illini got some unfortunate news regarding star guard and leading scorer Terrence Shannon Jr. Shannon has been charged with rape and is suspended from the team, per Derek Piper of 247Sports.

‘Illini All-American candidate Terrence Shannon Jr. has been suspended from the team after being charged with rape'

The alleged incident occurred in Lawrence, Kansas when Shannon was there to attend the Illinois-Kansas football game on September 8.

The warrant was issued on Wednesday, and Shannon went to Lawrence to present himself to authorities, per Jon Rothstein.

Article Continues Below
More NCAA Basketball News
University of Florida faculty members listen to Dr. Santa Ono, center, the sole finalist for the university's president, along with Rahul Patel, left, and Sarah Lynne during a forum on May 6, 2025, at Emerson Alumni Hall in Gainesville.
Board of Governors rejects Florida’s new president hire from MichiganTroy Finnegan ·
SEC commissioner Greg Sankey talks with the media during SEC Media Days at Grand Bohemian Hotel.
SEC Commissioner pushes for 76 team NCAA Tournament expansionRussell Steinberg ·
Whitnall's Myles Herro (2) battles to get past La Crosse Central's Bennett Fried (12) during the WIAA Division 2 state boys basketball semifinal at the Kohl Center in Madison on Friday, March 17, 2023.
Tyler Herro’s brother commits to Ohio State men’s basketballRussell Steinberg ·
Connecticut Huskies head coach Dan Hurley reacts against the Illinois Fighting Illini in the finals of the East Regional of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at TD Garden.
UConn, Illinois basketball finalizing Black Friday showdown at MSGRexwell Villas ·
North Carolina Tar Heels forward Ven-Allen Lubin (22) plays the ball defended by San Diego State Aztecs guard Nick Boyd (2) in the second half at UD Arena.
Will Wade, NC State add North Carolina starter to boost big man roomTroy Finnegan ·
University of South Carolina women's basketball coach Dawn Staley answers a question by moderator Dan Hughes during the University of Mount Union's Schooler Lecture speaker series on April 23, 2025, in Alliance, Ohio Mandatory Credit: © Kevin Whitlock / Massillon Independent / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Dawn Staley jokes about un-retiring after getting A’ja Wilson’s shoesZachary Draves ·

‘On Wednesday, the Douglas (Kansas) County District Attorney issued a warrant for Shannon's arrest. Shannon traveled to Lawrence, where he presented himself to authorities.'

Shannon has easily been the best player on the Illinois basketball team this season. He is averaging 21.7 PPG with 4.5 rebounds and just scored 30 points in the win over Missouri on December 22, so this is a crushing loss to the Illini team with Big Ten Conference play right around the corner.

Shannon is in his second season with the Illinois basketball team after transferring from Texas Tech, and the Illini were expected to be massive contenders in the Big Ten.

They face Fairleigh Dickinson, the team that stunned Purdue in the NCAA Tournament, before beginning conference play with a game against Northwestern at home and then a January 5 showdown against Purdue on the road, and it's looking as if Shannon won't be there anytime soon.