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Terrence Shannon Jr. was arrested on a rape charge on Thursday and has been suspended from the program.
The university announced the news in a statement, saying the arrest stems from an incident on September 8 while Shannon was in Lawrence for the Illinois-Kansas football game.
Shannon drove to Lawrence on Thursday to turn himself in.
“The University and DIA [Division of Intercollegiate Athletics] have shown time and again that we have zero tolerance for sexual misconduct,” Illinois athletic director Josh Whitman said in a statement.
“At the same time, DIA policy affords student-athletes appropriate levels of due process based on the nature and severity of the allegations. We will rely on that policy and our prior experiences to manage this situation appropriately for the University and the involved parties.”
Illinois guard Terrence Shannon Jr. has been suspended from all team activities after the Douglas County (Kansas) district attorney's office issued a warrant for his arrest Wednesday over an alleged sexual assault that happened in September.
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The 23-year-old Shannon has played in all 11 games for the No. 11 Fighting Illini this season and is one of the top players in the country. The fifth-year senior is considered an All-American candidate.
Through 11 games, Shannon is averaging 21.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game. Shannon’s 21.7 points per game is tied for eighth-best in the country.
University of Illinois officials say they were aware of the police investigation into Shannon since the end of September, but “had yet to receive actionable information” until Wednesday.