LAWRENCE, Kan. (WAND) — The trial of former Illinois basketball star Terrence Shannon Jr. began this morning in Lawrence, Kansas with jury selection.
Shannon was charged with with one count of rape or an alternative count of sexual battery by Douglas County prosecutors back in December. He's accused of assaulting a woman in a Lawrence bar after attending the Illinois vs Kansas football game as a spectator on Sept. 8, 2023.
Last week, his case was reassigned to Judge Amy Hanley in Divison 1 of Douglas County District Court due to Judge Sally Pokorny being tied up in another trial.
Terrence Shannon Jr. speaks to the media during the NBA Combine on May 14, 2024.
In May, Shannon spoke to the media at the NBA Draft Combine for the first time since being charged. He declined to comment on the legal matter itself, but he did express how difficult the last few months have been for him personally. He said that balancing the draft process and the legal process has been especially challenging.
The NBA Draft will take place beginning June 26. If found not guilty, it's likely that he will be drafted.
WAND News has a team in Lawrence to bring you full trial coverage this week.
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