19 January 2024
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — A federal judge has granted Terrence Shannon Jr. a temporary restraining order against the University of Illinois, clearing him to return to the basketball court immediately.
Judge Colleen Lawless found that the suspension placed upon Shannon violated the rights afforded to Shannon under Title IX. She also found that by keeping him off the court, the university was causing “irreparable harm” to Shannon. She said his NIL deals are worth little if he is not playing, and draft experts have projected that Shannon, previously projected as a first-round pick in the 2024 NBA draft, would now be drafted 17 spots lower.
She ruled in his favor, lifting his suspension.
Because [Shannon] has demonstrated (1) some likelihood of success on the merits; (2) no adequate remedy at law exists; and (3) he will suffer irreparable harm if the injunction is not granted, the court now considers the irreparable harm to the University upon entry of an injunction and balances that harm against [Shannon’s] irreparable harm if in the injunction were denied.
Judge Colleen Lawless
The ruling means that Shannon is allowed to participate in full team activities again for the first time since Dec. 28. He could be in a game again as early as Sunday when Illinois faces Rutgers at State Farm Center.
Shannon’s lawyers released the following statement in response to Lawless’s ruling:
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.
Shannon himself took to social media to issue a short statement on the ruling, saying, “I am grateful for the opportunity to rejoin my teammates and get back to work.”
WCIA has reached out to the University of Illinois for their response to the ruling. Associate Chancellor Robin Kaler said:
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.
Robin Kaler
While Shannon is cleared to play basketball again, his criminal court case in Kansas is ongoing. Shannon attended via Zoom a hearing on Thursday that scheduled a preliminary hearing date for Feb. 23.
This is a developing story.