Illinois Guard Terrence Shannon Jr. Charged With Rape, Suspended From Team

University of Illinois basketball guard Terrence Shannon Jr., has been suspended from the team after being accused of rape.

The school released a statement Thursday on the accusations.

"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."

Shannon leads the Fighting Illini in scoring at 21.7 points a game in 11 games this season. He also averages 4.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists.

The alleged incident occurred when the Illinois football team was playing at Kansas in September. The school said Shannon traveled to Lawrence, Kan., to turn himself into authorities. According to reports, the Douglas County (Kansas) District attorney issued a warrant for his arrest. He has since posted bail and returned to Champaign, Ill.

The school said Shannon was suspended from "all team activities, effective immediately. He is coming off scoring a game-high 30 points in the Illini's 97-73 victory against the University of Missouri in the annual Braggin' Rights game in St. Louis. The Illini had lost four of the last five games in the series before the latest victory.

Illinois Avenges Last Year's Missouri Defeat Behind Terrence Shannon's 30 Points

Shandel Richardson is the publisher for Illini Now. He can be reached at shandelrich@gmail.com.