URBANA, Ill. (WAND) — Judge Colleen R. Lawless ruled in favor of Terrence Shannon Jr.'s Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) Friday afternoon.
Shannon was suspended from Illinois' basketball team on Dec. 28, 2023 after being charged with rape in Kansas.
The player's legal team argued that the university rushed to make a judgement against Shannon and ignored due process by removing him from the team.
Related Links
- Illini standout Terrence Shannon Jr. suspended on rape charges
- Illinois rallies together without Shannon, take down Fairleigh Dickinson 104-71
- University of Illinois files notice of removal in response to Shannon Jr.'s restraining order
- U of I issues response to Terrence Shannon Jr.'s motion for temporary restraining order
- Court hears arguments for temporary restraining order in Terrence Shannon Jr. suspension
- Illinois' Terrence Shannon Jr. makes first appearance in Kansas court
In her ruling, Judge Lawless said that Shannon would "suffer irreparable harm without an injunction" and that by keeping the suspension intact, potential harm to him outweighs potential harm to the university.
With the TRO having been granted, the university is prohibited from maintaining Shannon's suspension without at least affording him the protections of the Office of Student Conflict Resolution policy.
Robin Kaler, an Associate Chancellor for the university gave the following statement to WAND News, "We have received the Court’s Order. Effective immediately, Terrence Shannon Jr. has been reinstated to full status as a University student-athlete and will be available for basketball practice and competition. We will continue to review the Court Order and monitor the case."
In his first post since the suspension, Shannon said on X that he was, "grateful for the opportunity to re-join my teammates and get back to work."
I am grateful for the opportunity to re-join my teammates and get back to work.
— Terrence Shannon Jr (@Sn1per_T) January 19, 2024
Shannon's legal team sent the following statement, "TJ is grateful for today’s ruling and looking forward to playing for the Illini again. TJ is also thankful to his legal team, lead counsel Rob Lang, Steve Beckett, Mark Goldenberg, Zoe Spector, Tom Horscroft, and Mark Sutter."
This is a breaking story and will be updated with the latest information.
All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Copyright 2024. WAND TV. All rights reserved.
