Sports

Illinois Hoops Shamefully Insults Former Star That Led Team To Elite 8 While Overcoming False Claims

#Illinois Fighting Illini
by Last Updated
Illinois basketball player Terry Shannon Jr. on the floor.

© Winslow Townson-Imagn Images


The Illinois basketball team attempted to honor former star Terrence Shannon Jr. on Saturday at halftime of a Big Ten contest against Michigan State. They failed miserably in that effort thanks to an embarrassing gaffe.

The Illini lifted Shannon’s jersey into the rafters at the State Farm Center. That recognition was well-deserved after the guard led the squad to the Elite Eight last postseason.

Shannon paced the team in scoring at 23 points per night. He earned AP All-America honors, landing on the third team at season’s end. He did so while fighting a legal battle that briefly kept him off the court and forced him to sue his own school.

The senior was accused of rape in an incident that dated back to the preseason. A woman alleged he’d assaulted her during a visit to Lawrence, Kansas for a football game.

Though he maintained his innocence, he was suspended and removed from all team activities. He was later forced to file a restraining order against the university which allowed him to rejoin the squad.

With Terrence Shannon Jr. leading the charge, the Illini made a deep run in the NCAA Tournament. He was later drafted by the Timberwolves after being found not guilty of the charges against him.

On Saturday, the team broke its own rule in order to retire his jersey. The ceremony took place as the Illini faced off against rival Michigan State. The unveiling went terribly wrong!

Terrence Shannon Jr.’s jersey was upside down when it was revealed to the audience. The crowd’s reaction was one of shock and disappointment. Videos of the gaffe immediately went viral on social media.

Shannon deserved better given the hate and negativity endured while leading the Illini into opposing arenas last season. The jersey retirement was supposed to be a recognition of achievements. Instead, it was an insult.

Illinois AD Josh Whitman apologized after the fact, taking responsibility for the mix-up. “Obviously, a really regrettable moment,” he said in a postgame press conference. “It’s a shame that it happened that way. I didn’t hang the jersey, but I’m ultimately responsible… That was on me tonight… There are certain moments where mistakes can’t happen. Tonight, we stole that moment from Terrence.”

After seeing a former star jilted, Illinois basketball fans watched the home team blow a 16-point lead to lose, 79-65. There wasn’t much to cheer for in Champaign as the Illini fell to 17-9 on the year.