Only a few weeks after former Illini Terrence Shannon Jr. was drafted No. 27 overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves, Shannon made his NBA Summer League debut on Friday afternoon in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Timberwolves took on the New Orleans Pelicans in their first game, and Shannon was in the starting lineup, alongside fellow rookie and eighth-overall pick Rob Dillingham. Timberwolves veterans Mike Conley Jr., Naz Reid and Karl-Anthony Towns, as well as former Illini Malcolm Hill (who plays for the Pelicans), were in attendance for the matchup.

Shannon got on the board early with a massive poster dunk on Pelicans rookie and No. 21 overall pick Yves Missi, inciting roars from the crowd in the Thomas & Mack Center. He drew a foul as he rose up and was able to knock down the free throw to finish the three-point play.

Midway through the quarter, Shannon knocked down a three and hit two free throws after drawing another foul on a drive to the hoop. He checked out with eight points at the three-minute mark of the first quarter. When the buzzer sounded to end the first quarter, Minnesota led 24-23.

Shannon checked back in at the beginning of the second quarter and immediately showed his skills as a finisher in transition. First, Leonard Miller stole the ball and passed to Dillingham, who dropped it off to a cutting Shannon for a two-handed flush. Only moments later, Shannon got the ball on a fast break with nobody near him, throwing down another two-handed dunk to raise his point total to 12, prompting a timeout from the Pelicans.

“They told me to be aggressive,” said Shannon after the game. “And Rob even telling me to keep attacking, keep shooting and keep going to the basket.”

After the timeout, Shannon continued his aggressive play, sprinting the full length of the court and drawing a lot of contact. However, he missed both free throws. Shannon did not score the rest of the first half, checking out with two minutes on the clock. At halftime, Minnesota was still in the lead, 45-40.

With seven and a half minutes to go in the third quarter, Dillingham grabbed a steal and ran the court with Shannon, dishing it to his fellow rookie for an emphatic slam. Shannon hit a technical free throw a minute later to up his point total to 15. He exited the game with four and a half minutes left in the third quarter but returned with two minutes to go, scoring his 16th and 17th points off of a hard drive along the baseline to the basket.

To start the final quarter of play, Shannon hit a baseline midrange jumper off an inbounds play, giving him his seventh bucket of the afternoon. A few minutes later, Shannon missed a deep three from the top of the key but made up for it on the next play, driving along the baseline, drawing a foul and knocking down both free throws. Shortly after, he was blocked on a drive but the Timberwolves regained possession, allowing Shannon to get the ball back in his hands and score on his second attempt. With under a minute to go and the Timberwolves only up by two, Shannon took control once again, driving in traffic to extend the Timberwolves lead to four.

Minnesota would go on to win the game 81-74. Shannon was the game’s leading scorer, with 25 points on 9-14 shooting from the field and 1-4 shooting from three. Despite an outstanding offensive showcase, Shannon’s defense was just as impressive as his offense. The 6-foot-6 guard contributed three rebounds, a steal and two blocks. He was also vocal with his teammates and aggressive in contesting shots, but he stayed under control, only committing two fouls.

“You’ve got to do whatever you’ve got to do to be on the floor,” said Shannon. “Whether it’s being vocal or playing hard or going and getting a rebound, be a good defensive player.”

Shannon will next take the floor on Sunday at 2:30 Pacific time, as the Timberwolves take on former Illini Giorgi Bezhanishvili and the Indiana Pacers.

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The Fighting Illini have secured a 2025 commitment from Jershaun Newton, a three-star quarterback from Clearwater Central Catholic High School in Florida. Newton, younger brother of former Illini star and current Washington Commander Jer’Zhan “Johnny” Newton, announced his decision on social media. 

Standing at 6-foot, 205 pounds, Newton is ranked by 247Sports as the No. 51 best QB in the 2025 class, the No. 91 Florida recruit for his class and the 669th overall recruit in the nation. He chose Illinois over offers from numerous Power Five programs including Ole Miss, Florida State, Miami, Indiana and Mississippi State.

As a junior, Newton showcased his skills by completing 65% of his passes for 2,084 yards, 14 touchdowns and six interceptions. He also rushed for 1,020 yards and five touchdowns and contributed defensively with six tackles-for-loss and four sacks as a linebacker. He led his high school team to back-to-back State championship berths.

Newton is set to continue the family legacy at Illinois, following in the footsteps of his older brother Jer’Zhan. As a junior in 2023, Jer’Zhan was a team captain, Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and a consensus All-American. He led the team with 52 tackles, 8.5 TFLs and 7.5 sacks, earning numerous accolades including a finalist for the Nagurski Trophy. Jer’Zhan was drafted in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft by the Washington Commanders. 

Jer’Zhan’s success sets a high bar for Jershaun as he begins his journey with the Illini.

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Illinois football has added to its 2025 recruiting class with the commitment of Desmond Straughton, a three-star defensive back at Roseville High School in Michigan. He announced his commitment via X last week after an official visit to the University. 

Straughton, standing at 6-foot-1 and 192 pounds, is ranked by 247Sports as the 13th-best recruit in Michigan, the 51st-best DB in his class and the 678th overall recruit in the nation.

He received offers from several Power Five programs, including Michigan State, Purdue, Minnesota, Arizona State and West Virginia.

In his announcement, Straughton expressed gratitude. 

“First off, I want to thank God for giving me the amazing opportunity to be able to play ball at the college level,” Straughton wrote. “I also want to thank my mom for laying such an amazing foundation for me… And to my Dad, thank you for always supporting me and pushing me to be my best.”

Straughton also expressed appreciation towards other programs for their interest and opportunities offered during his recruitment, and voiced his excitement to join the Illini.

“This whole process has been incredible, and I’m really grateful for all the interest and opportunities you offered me,” Straughton wrote. “With all that said, I’m super excited to announce my commitment to the University of Illinois and join the Fighting Illini family!”

Straughton’s addition brings Illinois’ 2025 recruiting class to 12 members. According to 247Sports composite rankings, Illinois’ 2025 class is ranked second to last among Big Ten schools, only ranked higher than Purdue. The class is ranked as the 63rd best recruiting class overall. 

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Illinois football has added two three-star prospects from Florida to their 2025 recruiting class – defensive back Robert Jones III from Vero Beach High School and running back Cedric Wyche from St. Thomas Aquinas High School. Both three-star recruits announced their commitment to Illinois in recent weeks, with Jones announcing his just a few days ago.

Robert Jones III

Robert Jones III is a 6-foot, 165-pound defensive back, specifically a cornerback for his high school team’s defense. Despite missing a few games in 2023 due to injury, Jones still recorded 19 tackles, nine pass breakups and 2 interceptions. Jones is ranked the 97th cornerback in his class and the 150th overall prospect in the state of Florida, according to 247Sports.

Jones chose Illinois over offers from schools such as UCF, which is in his hometown, as well as USF and Louisville. Additionally, Jones was previously committed to North Carolina State, but he decommitted prior to an official visit to Illinois last weekend. In a report published by 247Sports, he was asked about his commitment to Illinois, to which he replied, “They just felt like home.”

Cedric Wyche

Cedric Wyche is a 5-foot 10, 200 pound running back who provided tremendous power to his high school’s offense. His most notable efforts were in his junior-year season, where he had 63 carries for 470 yards and six touchdowns. Wyche also caught 14 passes for 266 yards and three touchdowns.

The three-star Ft. Lauderdale native committed to Illinois over Minnesota, Michigan State and Boston College. According to 247Sports, Wyche is the 55th ranked running back in the class of 2025, as well as the 92nd overall prospect in the state of Florida. 

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Four-star guard Jeremiah Fears announced that he is decommitting from Illinois basketball, in a statement posted on social media Monday afternoon.

“First and foremost, I would like to thank the Illini nation for all the love and support they have given me and my family during my recruitment and after my commitment,” Fears wrote. “I’d like to express my appreciation to Coach Underwood and his staff for their open communication and trust in me as a prospective next great guard to perform at State Farm Center. Please trust my full intention was to enter Champaign in the class of 2025 and help contribute to the continued ascension in the BIG10. With that being said, after further consideration and meaningful conversations with my family, I’ll be reopening my recruitment and exploring other opportunities.”

Fears is originally from Joliet, Illinois but is currently playing high school basketball at Compass Prep in Arizona. In 14 games for Compass Prep this year, Fears averaged 14.2 points, 2.3 assists and 2.5 steals. The 6-foot-3 combo guard was also a part of the USA U18 Team that won the gold medal in the FIBA AmeriCup last month, alongside incoming freshman forward Morez Johnson. Fears loves to get downhill and is a confident finisher at the rim. He is also great at getting his own shot off the dribble in the midrange. However, Fears’ three-point shot still needs improvement after he shot below 20% from behind the arc on the Nike EYBL circuit this spring, as well as in the AmeriCup.

Fears will now speak with other schools and find another program that fits his skill set. Before originally committing to Illinois, he received multiple other high-major offers, including Kansas, Providence and Michigan. Fears has shown some interest in potentially reclassifying to the class of 2024, but as of now, he remains in the class of 2025 and will spend another year in high school.

Without Fears, Brad Underwood and his staff still have a talented guard rotation for the next couple of years, despite not having any commits in the class of 2025. Returning sophomore Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn showed moments of promise toward the end of last season, and returning junior Ty Rodgers has been working on adding a consistent jump shot to his game during the summer, which will give him another weapon alongside his defensive capabilities and playmaking skills. Arizona transfer Kylan Boswell, a true point guard who can facilitate and shoot, and Lithuanian guard Kasparas Jakucionis, who has an excellent feel for the game and is a projected first-round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, will also be important pieces for Illinois in the guard rotation over the next season or two.

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Former Illini Marcus Domask has agreed to sign an Exhibit 10 deal with the Chicago Bulls after he went undrafted in the 2024 NBA Draft. The 2024 All-Big Ten first-team selection will compete in Chicago’s training camp, which will begin in October, in the hopes of earning a two-way contract or standard roster spot.

Most likely, Domask will be waived by the end of training camp and will have the opportunity to play for the Bulls’ G League affiliate, the Windy City Bulls. If Domask plays in the G League next season and stays with Windy City for at least 60 days, he would be eligible to earn a bonus worth up to $75,000, in addition to the standard G League contract rate of $40,500.

Domask demonstrated his strong mid-range game throughout his final season in college, as he used his 6-foot-6 stature to post-up smaller guards and consistently knock down turn-around jumpers. He also showcased his ability to facilitate, acting as a playmaker in Brad Underwood’s offense and dishing out five assists per game.

However, he was a streaky shooter from three throughout the season, knocking down only 29.7% of his long-range attempts. With Domask lacking elite athleticism, his three-point shot will have to improve for him to have a legitimate chance at being an NBA player. Domask’s best shooting game of last season came when he went 4-6 from beyond the arc at Wisconsin on March 2 en route to 31 points. He averaged 15.9 points for Illinois last season, the second-highest on the team.

Despite not being invited to the G League Elite Camp or NBA Draft Combine in May, Domask underwent a myriad of NBA workouts, which included the Bulls, Denver Nuggets, Miami Heat, Orlando Magic, Houston Rockets, Charlotte Hornets, Toronto Raptors and 2024 NBA Champion Boston Celtics. Fans will get to see the 24-year-old wing as a pro for the first time when Domask takes the court for the Bulls at the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, beginning July 12.

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Former Illini Quincy Guerrier has agreed to sign an Exhibit 10 deal with the Toronto Raptors after he went unselected in the 2024 NBA Draft on Thursday, according to Hoops Hype’s Michael Scotto.

The Canada native will begin his pro career playing for the Raptors in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas beginning July 12. He will also participate in Toronto’s training camp, which will start in October, in hopes of earning a spot on their roster or a two-way contract. More likely, however, is that Guerrier will be waived before the regular season and play in the NBA G League with Toronto’s affiliate, the Raptors 905. According to the terms of his Exhibit 10 contract, if Guerrier spends at least 60 days in the G League with the Raptors 905, he could earn a bonus of up to $75,000 in addition to his standard G League salary of $40,500.

Guerrier transferred to Illinois for his final season of college eligibility and became an instant impact player for Brad Underwood, starting all 38 games of last season. He averaged 9.6 points per game, good for fourth on the Illini’s roster, along with 6.1 rebounds per game. Guerrier was primarily a scorer for Illinois and shot the ball well, knocking down 37.4% of his attempts from beyond the arc, the second-highest clip on the team. Besides a smooth shooting stroke, Guerrier’s physical strength and good size (6-foot-8, 220 pounds) allowed him to attack the basket from the wing, snag offensive rebounds (1.7 per game) and compete intensely on the defensive end.

Guerrier’s best game of the season was arguably his 28-point performance against Missouri on Dec. 22, where he shot 8-15 from the field, including 5-8 from three. He also put up an impressive performance against Michigan on Jan. 18, securing a 16-point, 14-rebound double-double. Guerrier led Illinois in double-doubles and ranked fifth in the Big Ten for the statistic, recording nine during the 2023-2024 season. 

Guerrier worked out for multiple NBA teams during his pre-draft process, including Toronto and the Cleveland Cavaliers before signing with the Raptors.

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“With the 27th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, the Minnesota Timberwolves select Terrence Shannon Jr. from the University of Illinois,” announced NBA Commissioner Adam Silver on Wednesday night. With that announcement, Illinois men’s basketball secured a first-round draft pick for the first time since Meyers Leonard was selected No. 11 overall in 2012.

Shannon was not invited by the NBA to be in the green room at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Instead, he watched the draft from his hometown of Chicago with family, friends, former teammates and coaches, including Illinois head coach Brad Underwood and guard/forward Ty Rodgers.

Shannon will join Kentucky star guard Rob Dillingham, who was selected No. 8 overall, in Minnesota. His ability to finish at the rim while drawing contact, improved three-point shot, speed and defensive tenacity make him a player that will be able to contribute at the NBA level immediately on both ends of the floor. Shannon’s athleticism and ability to run the floor in transition will mesh well with high-flying NBA All-Star Anthony Edwards, and his NBA-ready game will be very useful for a relatively young team in a win-now scenario. Additionally, he will have the opportunity to learn from veteran point guard Mike Conley, a 2021 NBA All-Star and strong defender, throughout his rookie campaign. The Timberwolves finished the 2023-24 NBA season with a 56-26 record and advanced to the Western Conference Finals before falling to the Dallas Mavericks in five games.

In his final season of college basketball at the University, Shannon averaged 23 points per game — the third highest in the nation — while leading Illinois to a Big Ten tournament championship and an Elite Eight finish in the NCAA tournament. Shannon broke the program’s record for most points scored in a season, despite missing six games due to a suspension based on rape charges filed in December 2023. After Shannon was acquitted by a jury two weeks ago, it was announced that he will become the 36th Illini men’s basketball player with their jersey number honored in the rafters of the State Farm Center.

After five years in college, Shannon’s age of 23 likely impacted his draft stock along with his legal record. However, Shannon will have just as much of an opportunity as any of the younger draftees to make a splash once he steps on an NBA court. Shannon will take the court for the first time as a professional at the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas next month, starting on July 12.

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The University announced last week that full-service tailgating spots at Grange Grove are open for reservations for the 2024 football season. These packages can be reserved for both the entire season and on a single-game basis, with prices starting at $600 for a single game and $3,700 for the season.

Available since 2020, the tailgating packages, which are organized by REVELXP, an event planning and game-day service, provide amenities such as tents, tables, chairs and coolers with ice. Additional features can include high-top tables, speakers and catering services, which may include alcoholic beverages.

There are multiple packages depending on group size. The varsity package is for up to 10 tailgaters while the letterman package accommodates up to 20 tailgaters, and the all-American package can serve up to 30.

Additionally, reservations for ‘bring your own tailgate’ spots will open up on July 8 if spaces are still available. The BYOT option allows fans to set up their own equipment and bring their own food and beverages, with a holding fee starting at $25 per game.

On game days, Grange Grove features attractions such as a ‘kids zone’ with inflatables, as well as food trucks, live performances and the Gameday Spirit merchandise stand. The area opens at 7 a.m. on game days.

For further details and to reserve a tailgating spot, visit the Fighting Illini website. 

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Brad Underwood has added another future star to Illinois’ already strong roster ahead of the 2024-25 season. Five-star prospect Will Riley announced on Sunday at a ceremony in Ontario, Canada that he has committed to Illinois and made the decision to reclassify from 2025 to 2024.

Before making his decision, Riley made official visits to Kentucky, Arkansas and Alabama in addition to Illinois. Riley was recruited to Champaign by associate head coach Orlando Antigua, who previously recruited him at Kentucky when he was an assistant on John Calipari’s staff. After completing his visits, Riley announced a new top-five program list on June 10, including Illinois, Kentucky, Alabama, Arizona and the New Zealand Breakers of Australia’s NBL. Ultimately, Illinois impressed enough to become the front-runner for Riley and land his commitment.

Riley is a gifted scorer from beyond the arc and in the mid-range. The 6-foot-8 Canadian has been one of the top scorers in the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL) this year, averaging 21.4 points on a very strong 53.8% shooting. His shooting efficiency was on display in a May 17 performance in which he went off for 42 points while shooting 15-16 from the field, including 5-5 from three-point range. Riley can also finish well at the rim, making him a three-level scorer, which will only improve as he gets stronger and puts on muscle to his already long frame. Additionally, he handles the ball well and is able to facilitate for his teammates.

Riley will likely slot into the small forward position in Brad Underwood’s rotation and will be a strong candidate for the starting spot. Louisville transfer Tre White, returner Ty Rodgers and Mercer transfer Jake Davis will also compete for minutes on the wing with Riley next season. A potential starting lineup of guards Kylan Boswell and Kasparas Jakucionis, forward Ben Humrichous or Morez Johnson, center Tomislav Ivisic and Riley would be a brand new look for Illinois, but the combination of shooting, size and multi-level scoring will give the team a strong dose of offensive firepower and versatility to compete with next season. The team’s talent is unquestionably there, but the questions for the new-look squad will revolve around their cohesiveness and who will become their number-one scoring option.

Riley will likely be a one-and-done prospect and is currently projected as a first-round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft by ESPN’s Jonathan Givony. He will begin workouts at Illinois in July.

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Four-star senior Zakhari Franklin, the NCAA’s active leader in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns is the newest addition to the 2024 Illinois football team. Franklin played four seasons at the University of Texas at San Antonio as well as an additional year at the University of Mississippi.

Franklin is entering the program with 266 receptions, 3,386 receiving yards and 38 receiving touchdowns. Franklin’s impressive collegiate career is likely to make him an asset to the Illini after the receiving corps lost their two leading playmakers to the NFL draft last year — Isaiah Williams and Casey Washington, who play for the Detroit Lions and Atlanta Falcons respectively.

Taking advantage of NCAA eligibility rules, which now include a COVID-19 redshirt as well as a rule that allows redshirts to play in four games while maintaining an extra year of eligibility, Franklin will join the Illini to play his sixth college season this fall.

Leaving an impressive record behind at UTSA, Franklin holds the school’s all-time record for receiving touchdowns, as well as being second all-time in receptions and receiving yards. 

Head Coach Bret Bielema shared his thoughts on Franklin joining the team in an article first reported on the Illinois Athletics website. He also mentioned the Illini’s offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr., who served as the assistant head coach for UTSA in 2020 and 2021. 

“Zakhari is a dynamic wide receiver that will instantly impact our offense,” Bielema said. “We are excited to reunite Zakhari and Barry Lunney after they had two highly productive seasons together in the past.” 

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After much speculation by Illinois fans on social media, athletic director Josh Whitman told reporters on Thursday that Terrence Shannon Jr.’s No. 0 jersey will hang in the rafters at the State Farm Center. 

“Given the season that he (Shannon) had, one of the great seasons in the history of our program, it was clear to anybody who follows college basketball that he was one of the top-10 players in the country — probably one of the top two or three players in the country,” Whitman said.

Shannon averaged 23 points per game during his final season of college basketball and broke an Illinois men’s basketball record for the most points in a season, ending the year with 736 points. The former Illini star was also named the Big Ten Tournament Most Outstanding Player after Illinois won the title and led his team to an Elite Eight finish in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2005.

However, Shannon’s name was dragged into controversy when he was suspended for six games due to rape charges stemming from a September 2023 trip he took to Lawrence, Kansas. Shannon filed a lawsuit against the University and the judge granted him an injunction, allowing him to return to play. After an almost six-month legal battle, Shannon was found not guilty by a jury last week.

Shannon was not named as a consensus All-American despite his stellar on-court performance due to his unresolved charges, according to Whitman. Being selected as a consensus All-American is a criterion for an Illinois basketball player’s jersey to be honored. The recent clearing of Shannon’s name, however, opened the doors for an exception, allowing his jersey to join an exclusive club of Illinois basketball legends, including Chicago Bulls guard Ayo Dosunmu and three-time NBA All-Star Deron Williams, above the court in the State Farm Center.

“We’re excited to grant an exception there and look forward to celebrating him once he gets a sense of where he’s going to be and what his schedule looks like — letting our fans thank him for all that he’s done in helping advance this program,” Whitman said.

The University caught a lot of flack from fans on social media when Shannon was suspended in December, and there has been a lot of discussion over whether or not the right decision was made to let him take the court with active criminal charges but no completed hearing or trial. Whitman acknowledged that he and his staff are looking to potentially alter the student-athlete misconduct policy before school starts in August.

“We’re working with different groups on campus, campus counsel, trying to determine what changes, if any, would be appropriate to the policy,” Whitman said. “We’ll have a slightly-modified approach most likely as we head into the new year.”

Shannon will become the 36th men’s basketball player to have their jersey honored at Illinois. He is projected to be selected anywhere from the middle of the first round to the beginning of the second round in the 2024 NBA Draft next week.

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Illinois football has added to its 2025 recruiting class with the commitments of two prospects from Indianapolis — wide receiver Davion Chandler from Lawrence North High School and defensive lineman Isaiah White from Ben Davis High School. Both three-star recruits announced their decisions after official visits to the University in recent weeks.

Davion Chandler

Davion Chandler is a 6-foot, 170-pound wide receiver, who also plays cornerback for his high school team’s defense. Chandler chose Illinois over a competitive list of programs including Boston College, Kansas and West Virginia as well as Big Ten schools like Iowa, Michigan State and Purdue. Chandler is ranked as the no. 11 prospect in Indiana and the 120th-ranked wide receiver in the nation, according to 247Sports.

In his junior year, Chandler made a significant impact on the field, picking up 40 receptions for 779 yards and 13 touchdowns. Chandler had also planned official visits to Wisconsin and Indiana, but he opted to commit to Illinois early and forgo any additional college visits.

Isaiah White

Isaiah White, a 6-foot-3, 300-pound defensive lineman, adds substantial strength to Illinois’ defensive front. White, who is ranked as the No. 18 prospect in Indiana and the 98th-ranked defensive lineman nationally by 247Sports, had an impressive junior season with 69 tackles and 7.5 sacks, contributing significantly to Ben Davis’s Class 6A state championship in 2023. 

White chose Illinois over offers from Louisville, Boston College and Washington. He had already visited Louisville and had additional visits planned, but chose to commit to Illinois on June 9. 

Notably, Illinois has also offered a scholarship to White’s brother, Isaac White, a running back who tallied 312 yards and three touchdowns as a junior. A familial connection has the opportunity to strengthen White’s performance for the Illini. 

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Illinois football has added to its 2025 recruiting class with a commitment from Cameron Brooks, a defensive lineman from Homewood-Flossmoor High School. Brooks, a three-star prospect, announced his commitment last week after an official visit to the University.

The 6-foot-3, 270-pound incoming senior chose the Illini over offers from Iowa, Kansas and Kansas State.

Ranked by 247Sports as the No. 24 prospect in Illinois and the 59th ranked edge rusher in the nation for the class of 2025, Brooks is the 1,151st ranked prospect in the nation for his class. During his junior season, Brooks recorded 58 tackles and 39 pressures.

Brooks’ commitment marks the eighth recruit for Illinois in the 2025 class and the first defensive lineman in the group.

The decision by Brooks makes him the fifth in-state player to commit to Illinois for the class of 2025. He joins other three-star prospects including offensive lineman Michael McDonough, quarterback Carson Boyd, defensive back Andre Lovett and wide receiver Brayden Trimble.

According to a report by 247Sports, Brooks expressed his appreciation for the attention and support from the Illinois coaching staff after a junior day visit to Illinois in March.

“The coaches, the love they’re showing me, they treat me as a priority,” Brooks said. “That’s really important to me. Because a lot of schools, they could say they just want you, but I feel like I’m a priority here and I feel like this is somewhere where I’m wanted and … somewhere I could see myself at as well.”

Brooks also spoke highly of Illinois defensive line coach Terrance Jamison.

“Coach Jamo is a real standout guy. Everything he says is real. He’s not going to sugarcoat anything … He’s one of the first guys who was involved in my recruiting process, so I really appreciate that from him,” Brooks said “He’s sending guys to the NFL, great at developing guys, and he’s a great coach.”

At the college level, Brooks is likely to transition from playing on the edge to an interior defensive line position. He has size, long arms and quickness, which may prove useful for disrupting plays in the backfield. 

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Former Illini Coleman Hawkins has committed to Kansas State after withdrawing from the NBA Draft, he announced on Instagram Friday morning.

The 6-foot-10 forward stated two weeks ago that he would be returning to college for a graduate year, but he would transfer to a new program and not come back to Illinois. Hawkins had originally planned to visit Louisville, however, he canceled that visit and instead visited Kansas State. He also had an upcoming visit scheduled to LSU on June 17, but it was reported that he canceled that as well, only an hour before he announced his commitment to Kansas State.

According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, Hawkins has agreed to an NIL deal in the neighborhood of $2 million to play at Kansas State. It is the most lucrative NIL deal in college basketball negotiated by a collective, orchestrated by Aaron Turner of Verus Basketball and Nate Conley of Court XIV.

Hawkins is now the eighth player signed by Kansas State via the transfer portal this offseason, including 7-foot Kentucky transfer Ugonna Onyenso. The former Illinois star averaged 12.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.1 blocks during his senior season in Champaign and was a third-team All-Big Ten selection. He also shot a career-best 36.9% from long range, making him a legitimate three-point threat.

“I will never play in the Big Ten again. I wouldn’t play in the Big East,” Hawkins said at the NBA Combine one month ago. Despite skepticism from many college basketball fans, Hawkins kept his promise and will look to showcase his versatility in the Big Twelve next season during his final year of college basketball.

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A six-month legal battle is complete for former Illinois star Terrence Shannon Jr. after he was charged with rape and sexual assault in December 2023. The charges stemmed from a trip Shannon took to Kansas to support the Illinois football team in early September 2023, where he was accused by a woman of touching her inappropriately without consent while at a local bar. Shannon was suspended by the University for six games until a judge granted him a temporary restraining order to return to play in January 2024.

For the remainder of the college basketball season, Shannon did not speak to the media. His first press conference happened on May 13 at the NBA Combine in Chicago, but Shannon could not comment on his case, referring reporters to his June 10 trial date and emphasizing his focus on basketball.

Now, that case is over. On Thursday afternoon, the jury ruled Shannon was innocent, handing out two ‘not guilty’ verdicts to the former Illinois star.

Shannon appeared at court in Lawrence, Kansas this week for the trial, and after jury selection on Monday, opening arguments began Tuesday morning. The state acknowledged in their opening arguments that there was no video of the alleged incident and that DNA evidence from swabs on the alleged victim’s genitalia did not point to Shannon as a suspect. Shannon’s legal team leaned on this fact heavily during their opening remarks and also discussed how positively everyone views him.

“He did not do this and he would not do this,” said Shannon’s attorney Mark Sutter. “Unlike most kids, he has a real chance to play in the NBA and would never screw this up with all eyes on him.” 

The alleged victim testified next, saying, “As he pulled me towards him, he shifted arm around to my hip on top of my skirt. He then moved under my skirt to grab my butt. He moved my underwear and put his fingers inside of me.”

Shannon’s attorney performed a cross-examination of the witness, attacking the credibility of her statements on the basis that she had altered her story multiple times since the alleged incident occurred, including in statements to the police and at the May 10 preliminary hearing. 

Later on Tuesday, Officer Leitner testified as the lead detective on the case. He interviewed the alleged victim and her friend, Kansas basketball players and went through a large amount of cell phone data. When trying to identify a suspect, he went through photos of Kansas and Illinois athletes. The alleged victim identified Shannon and Leitner ran with him as the suspect, not considering any other potential witnesses.

On Wednesday, multiple student-athletes gave their testimony. Kansas basketball star Hunter Dickinson, Illinois graduate assistant DyShawn Hobson and former Texas Tech teammate Kevin McCullar Jr. all testified and gave a similar message: They were in the bar with Shannon that night, he seemed in control of himself and they did not see him interact with any women or see any incident occur.

What happened next, however, is the moment that likely sealed any chance of the prosecution winning the case. Sutter presented text messages from the alleged victim in a group chat with her friends after ESPN released the story of Shannon’s charges on December 28, 2023. 

Friend: (ESPN article link shared) OMG 

Best friend: You got him 

Alleged Victim: YUPPP YESSSIRR

Friend: Got his ass (two money-face emojis)

This shocked those in the courtroom and people around the county following the trial. From the use of a money-face emoji, the defense argued to those watching that there was a financial motivation for the alleged victim. Social media posts began to pour in from Shannon’s former teammates, including Marcus Domask, Luke Goode, RJ Melendez and Coleman Hawkins, all showing support for the former Illinois star.

Former Illinois guard Justin Harmon showed support on social media, but he also testified on Wednesday. Harmon guard was with Shannon in Lawrence when the alleged incident occurred, but he told the jury that he didn’t witness anything and that he and Shannon drank but were not intoxicated. This reflected the same story told by previous witnesses.

On Wednesday and Thursday, two character witnesses were also called by the defense: Illinois Assistant Director of Student Engagement Reba Daniels, who was Shannon’s academic advisor, and Illinois assistant coach Tim Anderson, who has known Shannon since eighth grade. Both witnesses attested to his kind and gentle personality and character and said that the headlines about Shannon did not reflect the type of person that he is.

Finally, before closing arguments, Shannon himself took the stand. Shannon explained that he answered all police questions, turned himself in when a warrant for his arrest was issued and complied with a school-led investigation. He doubled down on the fact that he did not commit any crime or see the woman before the May 10 preliminary hearing.

“I did not grab, touch, pull, rape or assault the alleged victim,” said Shannon definitively. “I would never do anything like this because a member of my family was raped in the past.”

Closing arguments began after a short break following Shannon’s testimony. The prosecution asked the jury to convict Shannon of rape in their final words, saying, “When he wants something, he gets it. He is the big man on campus. He might as well be the king of the University of Illinois.” 

Shannon’s attorney followed up with a closing argument that went right at the Kansas district attorney’s office and the validity of the trial.

“This is not about Air Jordan’s or free stuff,” said Sutter. “This is about someone’s life. This is not a trial. It’s a travesty.”

Sutter continued his closing argument by bringing up that there was no physical DNA evidence of Shannon on the alleged victim, there were no eyewitnesses and the dollar sign emojis used in the alleged victim’s group text indicated they were looking for monetary gains.

He closed by stating, “This is not how he (Shannon) was raised. My client has suffered enough. Stop the madness. Sign the not guilty verdict on both — so we can all go home. Thank you.”

Following closing arguments, the jury deliberated for almost two hours before delivering the not guilty verdict on both counts, freeing Shannon from any accusations of misconduct or criminal activity.

With his legal battle now behind him, Shannon will now be able to focus on finishing preparation for the 2024 NBA Draft, which will be held on June 26 and 27. Shannon has been projected to be selected from the middle or late first round to the early second round. It remains to be seen if he will file a civil suit for damages in response to the case brought against him.

@sahil_mittal24

sahilsm3@dailyillini.com

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Incoming freshman Morez Johnson and class of 2025 commit Jeremiah Fears won the gold medal in the FIBA U18 AmeriCup on Sunday evening, defeating Argentina 110-70. Both players only took the court for 11 minutes, with Johnson contributing seven points, seven rebounds and three steals and Fears putting up four points and four assists.

Team USA’s dominant 40-point championship victory was the cherry on top for their unrelenting play in the AmeriCup tournament. They started their run by winning games against Argentina, Belize and Brazil in group play by a combined margin of 149 points, including a 96-point blowout of Belize. Next, they breezed past Puerto Rico by 32 in the quarterfinals and defeated Canada by 38 points in the semifinals.

Johnson’s most time on the court came in the quarterfinals, where he played 19 minutes and scored 11 points on 50% shooting from the field. He also grabbed 17 rebounds in the win, tying the record for most rebounds by an American in a FIBA U18 AmeriCup game. He holds the record with Chicago native Quincy Miller, who played college basketball at Baylor before making stops in the NBA and overseas.

Johnson will join Brad Underwood’s squad at Illinois this upcoming season and will look to be a strong force in the post. The 6-foot-8 forward averaged 8 points (on 62.1% shooting), nine rebounds and 1.2 blocks throughout the entire tournament, despite only playing 13.6 minutes per game. Johnson’s consistent and efficient play bodes well for the incoming freshman before he begins his first season of college basketball in Champaign.

On the other hand, Fears’ most impressive performance came when he spent 21 minutes on the floor against Belize in group play. He shot the ball efficiently in that game, knocking down 50% of his shots en route to 17 points. He also dished out six assists and racked up an impressive seven steals. However, Fears seemed to struggle overall during the AmeriCup in his 12 minutes per game. The 6-foot-2 guard did not shoot well for Team USA, averaging 40% from the field, including an abysmal 15% from beyond the three-point line. Despite his offensive struggles, Fears played well on the defensive end, averaging a team-leading 3 steals per game. Fears has another year of high school basketball before he will join Johnson and Illinois for the 2025-26 season.

Team USA’s win in the finals gave them their seventh consecutive FIBA U18 AmeriCup championship.

@sahil_mittal24

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Three Illinois track & field athletes are national champions after competing in the 2024 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Tournament in Eugene, Oreg. 

Rose Yeboah won the women’s high jump title with a height of 1.97 meters, which is both an NCAA outdoor and Illinois record. Evan Correll won the men’s wheelchair 100-meter race with a time of 14.33 seconds, and Hannah Dederick won the women’s wheelchair 100-meter race, finishing in 16.15 seconds.

In the women’s triple jump, Darja Sopova finished in second place, leaping 14.01 meters and becoming the highest Illini finisher in history for the event. Hoda Elshorbagy took second place in the women’s wheelchair 100-meter race with a time of 17.60 seconds. 

Jason Robinson and Phillip Croft took second and third place in the men’s wheelchair 100-meter race, finishing in 15.37 seconds and 15.58 seconds respectively.

Yeboah will compete in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, representing her home country of Ghana. Dederick is set to compete in the 2024 Paralympic Games for Team USA, also taking place in Paris later this summer. 

The full list of results from each event in the 2024 NCAA Tournament are available on the NCAA’s website.

qjato2@dailyillini.com

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Illinois baseball suffered a 13-2 defeat against Indiana State today in the NCAA Tournament Lexington Regional. The loss was Illinois’ second in the regional, eliminating them from tournament play. 

The loss came after the Illini beat the Sycamores 4-1 in the first round of the tournament on Friday, but subsequently took a 6-1 loss against the Kentucky Wildcats yesterday. 

Today’s game started out slow, similar to the two teams’ matchup on Friday, with both remaining scoreless through two innings. Sophomore left-hander Sam Reed started on the mound for the Illini.

In the third inning, Indiana State picked it up rapidly, scoring 7 runs on 6 hits. Sycamores junior infielder Randal Diaz hit a single with the bases loaded, allowing their senior outfielder Adam Pottinger to score. Then, their senior outfielder Parker Stinson doubled to right, allowing their freshman infielder Riley Iffrig and senior infielder Josue Urdaneta to score, giving the Sycamores a 3-0 lead with runners on second and third.

Illinois made a pitching change to attempt to close out the inning, putting freshman left hander Regan Hall on the bump. Hall walked the second batter he faced, loading the bases, and then hit Indiana State’s senior outfielder Dominic Listi with a pitch, putting the Sycamores up 4-0 with the bases still loaded.

With only one out, Sycamores’ senior catcher Grant Magill grounded out to third, allowing Stinson to score. Then, Pottinger hit a single to right, bringing home both Listi and their senior infielder Mike Sears, bringing the tally to 7-0. Urdenata singled to right, but the Illini defense got Pottinger out at home to pick up a third out and end the inning.

Hall began the fourth hitting Diaz with a pitch and then picking up a strikeout. But after the Sycamores junior catcher Luis Hernandez singled to right and put runners on first and second, Illinois decided to make another pitching change, this time putting redshirt sophomore Ben Plumley on the mound. The Illini defense then made a double play to end the inning.

Plumley gave up no runs on zero hits with a strikeout in the fifth, but Indiana State extended their lead to 8-0 in the sixth when Hernandez homered to left. Plumley picked up a strikeout to end the sixth inning and put the Illini back on offense.

The score didn’t change until the bottom of the seventh, when Illinois redshirt senior infielder Brody Harding singled to right with the bases loaded, scoring redshirt senior Jacob Schroeder and cutting the deficit to 8-1. The inning ended, however, after junior infielder Coltin Quagliano grounded into a double play.

Illinois made another pitching change in the eighth, putting in senior right hander Will Lavin, but after Indiana State loaded the bases, Illinois put in redshirt senior right hander Joe Glassey. But the pitching change did not slow down the strong hitting performance by the Sycamores — Sears, the first batter Glassey faced after getting to the mound, hit a grand slam to center field, increasing their already large lead to 12-1. 

In the ninth, Indiana State’s Iffrig doubled to right, allowing Magill to score, and bringing the tally to 13-1. Glassey then picked up two strikeouts to put the Illini offense back at the plate. 

Down twelve with three outs to play, junior outfielder Ryan Moerman homered to center in the final frame, cutting the deficit to 13-2, but Indiana State picked up a quick two to finish their dominant performance and eliminate Illinois from the NCAA Tournament.

Indiana State must now beat Kentucky in back to back games to advance to the NCAA Super Regional. 

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Illinois baseball (35-20) took a 6-1 loss against Kentucky in the Lexington Regional of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday afternoon. The loss came after Illinois won their first round matchup against Indiana State with a score of 4-1 on Friday evening. 

The Illini will once again face off against Indiana State this afternoon for a chance to continue their tournament run. 

Friday’s game started slow, with both Illinois and Indiana State remaining scoreless in the first two innings. Senior right-hander Jack Crowder started on the mound for the Illini and picked up two strikeouts in the first two innings. 

Illinois took the first lead when junior infielder Drake Westcott hit a single in the third inning, bringing home senior infielder Cal Hejza and senior outfielder Connor Milton, going up 2-0. 

In the fourth inning, Indiana State got on the board when their junior infielder Randal Diaz hit a solo home run, bringing the tally to 2-1. Both teams then went into another scoring drought for the fifth, sixth and seventh innings. 

The Illini increased their lead to 3-1 in the top of the eighth when senior infielder Brody Harding connected on a single, bringing home Westcott. Illinois further increased the lead to 4-1 when Milton reached home on a passed ball after reaching base with a single. 

Redshirt senior right-hander Joe Glassey came to the mound in the ninth, throwing a perfect inning and securing the win for the Illini. Friday’s win marked Illinois’ first NCAA Tournament victory since 2015. The full box score of Friday’s contest can be found here. 

However, the Illini were dealt a 6-1 defeat Saturday afternoon against the Kentucky Wildcats.

Saturday’s matchup remained scoreless through the first, but Kentucky got on the board in the second inning after their graduate infielder Ryan Nicholson hit a two-run homer off of a pitch by Illinois redshirt junior left-hander Payton Hutchings, putting the Wildcats up 2-0.

At the end of three, the score still sat at 2-0. The Illini responded in the fourth when redshirt senior infielder Brody Harding hit a single, bringing home redshirt senior catcher Jacob Schroeder and decreasing their deficit to 2-1.

Kentucky furthered their lead in the fifth inning when their sophomore utility player James McCoy doubled to deep center, allowing the Wildcats’ junior outfielder Ryan Waldschimdt to score and bringing the tally to 3-1. Strong pitching performances from both teams led to a scoreless sixth.

In the top of the seventh, Kentucky’s senior infielder Grant Smith singled and subsequently scored on a fielder’s choice by their junior infielder Emilien Pitre, increasing the Wildcats’ lead to 4-1.

Illinois senior right-hander Jake Rons replaced Hutchings in the eighth, giving up a two run-homer by Waldschimdt in the ninth which secured the Kentucky win. The full box score of Saturday’s game is available here.

If Illinois avoids elimination by winning their second matchup against Indiana State this afternoon, they will again face Kentucky. In order to advance to the NCAA Regional Superfinal, Illinois must beat Kentucky in back to back games. 

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