Sports
Illinois basketball player Terrence Shannon Jr., a rape suspect, has suspension lifted after judge's ruling
Illinois basketball star Terrence Shannon Jr. has been reinstated from his suspension after a federal judge granted his motion for a temporary restraining order against the school.
Shannon sought the order against the school’s board of trustees earlier this month, so he could return from a suspension after being charged with rape last month.
The guard was granted a preliminary injunction by U.S. District Judge Colleen Lawless, and the school confirmed Shannon would rejoin the team “immediately.”
Terrence Shannon Jr. of the Illinois Fighting Illini handles the ball against the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center Dec. 2, 2022, in College Park, Md. (G Fiume/Getty Images)
“Terrence Shannon Jr. has been reinstated to full status as a university student-athlete and will be available for basketball practice and competition,” the school said, via 24/7 Sports. “We will continue to review the court order and monitor the case.”
“The Plaintiff has established that he has clearly ascertainable rights that need protection and there is some likelihood of success on the merits,” Lawless wrote. “The Court further finds that Plaintiff has no adequate remedy at law and will suffer irreparable harm without an injunction.
“The potential harm to Plaintiff outweighs any harm to the University. The public interest is not harmed by granting injunctive relief to allow for additional procedural safeguards while he is presumed innocent of the criminal charges. Because Plaintiff financially supports several family members, the Court will not require Plaintiff to post bond.”
Shannon’s attorneys argued the university rushed to judgment and did not follow its protocols. Lawless said the school is prohibited from suspending Shannon before allowing him the protection of policy through the school’s Office of Student Conflict Resolution.
Illinois Fighting Illini guard Terrence Shannon Jr. during a game against the Tennessee Volunteers Dec. 9, 2023, at Food City Center in Knoxville, Tenn. (Bryan Lynn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Prosecutors in Douglas County charged Shannon Dec. 5 with rape or an alternative count of sexual battery. The complaint says the accuser was born in 2005. After a warrant was issued for his arrest, Illinois suspended Shannon Dec. 28 from “all team activities, effective immediately.”
The alleged victim told police Shannon pulled her toward him, put his hands under her skirt and touched her sexually. She said the room was so crowded she couldn’t “do anything,” an affidavit said.
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Shannon transferred to Illinois from Texas Tech prior to the start of the 2021-22 season. He played in 11 games this season and was averaging 21.7 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists.
The school said it was aware of the allegations since last September but had “yet to receive actionable information” until Dec. 27.
Illinois’ Terrence Shannon Jr. passes during the first half of a game against Missouri Dec. 22, 2023, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Shannon was an All-Big Ten first-team selection last season.
He last played Dec. 22, when he dropped 30 points and grabbed 11 rebounds against Missouri in their “Braggin’ Rights” rivalry.
Illinois (13-4, 3-2), ranked No. 14 in the country, hosts Rutgers Sunday. Shannon has missed six games.
Fox News’ Ryan Gaydos and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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If the Super Bowl marks the end of the NFL season, WrestleMania is when WWE’s year is over.
There is no offseason in WWE, and when waves of departures hit the company, it hits harder than a Gunther knife-edge chop.
Uncle Howdy, Erick Rowan, Dexter Lumis, Joe Gacy, and Nikki Cross appear during SmackDown at First Horizon Center in Savannah, Ga., on May 23, 2025. (Rich Freeda/WWE)
Fightful and BodySlam both reported several superstars who left WWE on Friday ahead of “Friday Night SmackDown.” Some wrestlers confirmed their departures on social media.
Those who left included: Alba Fyre, Aleister Black, Alex Shelley, Andre Chase, Apollo Crews, Bo Dallas, Chris Island, Chris Sabin, Dante Chen, Dexter Lumis, Erick Rowan, Joe Gacy, Kairi Sane, Luca Crusifino, Malik Blade, Nikki Cross, Santos Escobar, Sirena Linton, Trill London, Tyra Mae Steele, Tyriek Igwe, Tyson Dupont, Zelina Vegas and Zoey Stark.
The WWE roster is loaded as it is with several NXT stars getting called up this week.
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Sol Ruca made her presence felt on Raw on Monday when she challenged women’s champion Liv Morgan. The Fatal Influence faction of Jacy Jayne, Lainey Reid and Fallon Henley took aim at the women’s tag team division on SmackDown on Friday. Ricky Saints and Blake Monroe also had vignettes for their upcoming appearances.
Meanwhile, former NXT champion Oba Femi has been on main WWE programming for the last few weeks and beat Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 42.
Kairi Sane enters the ring during Monday Night RAW at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif., on April 13, 2026. (Rich Freeda/WWE)
Aleister Black and Zelina Vega make their way to the ring during SmackDown at Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri, on April 3, 2026. (Craig Melvin/WWE)
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It’s not the end of the road for any of the recent departures. Several former WWE stars have made waves elsewhere. Some have even returned over the course of time.
Pitching coach Gus Rico was having dinner on Thursday when head coach Matt Mowry of Birmingham High complimented him on closer Aidan Martinez recording all seven of his outs on strikeouts.
“I had no idea,” Rico said. “Everything is a blur when I’m calling pitches.”
Martinez is throwing some blurs these days after returning this season following Tommy John surgery in June 2024. He touched 92 mph with his fastball and has been improving each week, getting better command and walking fewer batters. He has 28 strikeouts in 15 innings and three saves.
Birmingham is one game behind El Camino Real in the West Valley League standings going into showdown week, playing El Camino Real on Wednesday at on the road and Friday at home. The Patriots need a sweep to have a chance at their first league title under Mowry, who prefers winning City titles.
With Martinez throwing so well, it would be a good strategy for opposing teams to make sure they are leading going into the last two innings.
“He’s got a bright future,” Rico said.
This is a daily look at the positive happenings in high school sports. To submit any news, please email eric.sondheimer@latimes.com.
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Earlier this month, Michigan defeated UConn in the NCAA men’s basketball national championship game.
Shortly after the Wolverines captured the program’s first title since 1989, Michigan forward Morez Johnson Jr. announced he would enter the NBA Draft.
Despite declaring for the NBA Draft, Johnson has maintained his NCAA eligibility throughout the process. However, he has until May 27 to withdraw if he plans to return for his junior season.
Johnson played for Illinois during the 2024-25 season before transferring to Michigan last offseason.
Michigan’s Morez Johnson Jr. walks on the court against UConn at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis April 6, 2026. (Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated)
After joining Michigan, Johnson quickly emerged as a key contributor, averaging the second-most points on the team. He also led the Wolverines in rebounding, averaging 7.3 per game.
Michigan head coach Dusty May eventually dubbed Johnson “The Enforcer” and “Junkyard Dog,” a nod to his tenacity on the defensive end. Johnson was named to the Big Ten’s All-Defensive Team.
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But Johnson’s offensive prowess didn’t take a back seat to his defensive strengths. His shooting from beyond the 3-point line showed improvement as the season progressed.
Morez Johnson Jr. of the Michigan Wolverines cuts down the net after defeating the UConn Huskies 69-63 in the 2026 NCAA national championship game in Indianapolis April 6, 2026. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Many early NBA projections gave Johnson a first-round grade. It’s unclear how much name, image and likeness (NIL) compensation he would command if he returns to Michigan or transfers elsewhere.
Johnson has been active on social media, interacting with teammates as they consider returning to Michigan for another championship push.
Morez Johnson Jr. of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates after scoring in the second half against the UConn Huskies during the 2026 NCAA national championship at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis April 6, 2026. (Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
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Michigan added a key piece this week, with Jalen Reed transferring from LSU, On3 reported. Reed was limited during the 2025-26 season by an Achilles injury.
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