Former Illini Terrence Shannon Jr. never expected to have his jersey honored at Illinois. The current Minnesota Timberwolves guard spent two years in Champaign, where he dominated and set the program’s single-season scoring record during his final year. He should have easily been a consensus All-American, a criterion to be honored at Illinois.

A sexual assault charge against Shannon at the time — later proven to be a complete farce — took that well-deserved recognition from him. However, athletic director Josh Whitman still honored Shannon’s jersey and legacy as one of the greatest players in Illini history.

“I was at my (Oklahoma City Thunder) workout in the pre-draft,” Shannon said. “(Whitman) and coach (Adam Fletcher) called me. I was shocked because I was only here two years.”

Shannon returned to Champaign on Saturday, first stopping at the Gameday Spirit Fanstore to meet fans. The turnout was outstanding, with hundreds hoping to meet the Illini legend. Shannon took his time with every fan — taking photos, signing their items and chatting.

“I looked at the line, and I was like, ‘Dang, this line long,’” Shannon said. “I was there a limited time, but I told them if they’re out there waiting, I’m going to sign everybody’s stuff.”

After spending hours interacting with the community that had supported him through thick and thin over the last few years, it was time for the main event. Shannon arrived at State Farm Center before Illinois’ matchup with then-No. 11 Michigan State (20-5, 11-3) to speak with the media. He was humble, as usual, not making this moment only about himself but also about those who have been there for him along the way.

“My family, they’ve always been supportive of me,” Shannon said. “My friends, coaching staff, teammates. I’m just grateful. I’m just happy to be here.”

Shannon attributes the Elite Eight run, the Big Ten tournament championship and his single-season Illinois scoring record to the team as a whole, not putting himself in the limelight at all.

“I just feel like it was us as a team,” Shannon said. “It was nothing that I did single-handedly. Everybody played a factor. My teammates are the reason I’m here right now.”

Shannon’s mother, Treanette Redding, was beaming with pride for her son before the ceremony, knowing that despite how good the Illini were last year, Shannon was the team’s heartbeat. That heartbeat never stopped despite legal issues, team suspensions or obnoxious fans on the road.

“It means a lot,” Redding said. “(Shannon) is very deserving of this honor. He accomplished a lot this past season, broke a lot of records for the University. It’s fulfilling. With everything that he did go through, just to know that he maintained a level of professionalism on and off the court and accomplished so much under duress is a testament to his character.”

Former Illinois assistant coach Tim Anderson, who played a massive part in recruiting Shannon, and former Illinois football star Jer’Zhan “Johnny” Newton, who now plays for the Washington Commanders, returned to campus for the ceremony and reciprocated the love Shannon has shown them.

Shannon leaned on Anderson, who left the program ahead of this season, during his legal battle last season. Newton, 2023 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, was a close friend of his fellow star athlete.

“Just supporting a former Illini, a good friend of mine — the orange and blue bleeds deep,” Newton said. “(Shannon) just shows the change that has come to Illinois basketball. It’s a program where people want to come to play basketball at one of the top programs in the nation. The dominance he had while he was here was shown greatly, and it’ll affect the recruiting program for a long, long time.”

When the buzzer indicating the end of the first half sounded, the excitement for the ceremony started building. The lights dimmed, and an emotional tribute to Shannon played on the jumbotron, set to Chicago rapper Polo G’s “Through da Storm.” Shannon walked onto the court following the highlight reel to roars and applause from the crowd, who all donned commemorative T-shirts. Before a video message from head coach Brad Underwood played, the usually quiet Shannon took the mic and addressed the State Farm Center.

“I’m a little nervous right now, but I just want to say that I appreciate y’all for sticking with me for two years here,” Shannon said. “Since the first day I stepped on campus, it’s been unconditional love. I just want to thank y’all. Y’all the reason I’m here right now today. And thank y’all. I-L-L.”

The Champaign crowd responded with an emphatic “I-N-I,” cheering loudly once again. Moments later, it was time for Shannon to unveil his banner. A drum roll started as he stepped up to the string, pulled it and the banner unraveled to cheers. But those cheers quickly turned into gasps — Shannon’s jersey was upside down.

Shannon looked surprised, but there was no strong reaction besides taking photos with the banner in front of the crowd. The banner was eventually turned right side up, but it was a major mistake made during the one night chosen to honor one of the best players in Illinois’ basketball history.

Whitman was understandably upset after the incident. The program became a laughingstock immediately on social media, and the brutal loss to Michigan State didn’t help. He spoke to the media directly after the game, issuing an apology and statement.

“In life, mistakes happen, but there are also certain moments where mistakes can’t happen,” Whitman said. “Had some spirited conversations during the second half to make sure that the right people knew the level of disappointment and frustration we felt in that moment.”

Redding responded to the social media outrage on Sunday with a post on X. She didn’t dwell on the mistake at all.

“No blame to place here,” Redding wrote. “The jersey mishap symbolizes his final season with Illinois!!!!!His life was turned upside down but he overcame injustice and still achieved his dreams of being in the N.B.A!!!!!”

Shannon echoed that sentiment by posting upside-down images of the ceremony on his Instagram story, making light of the incident. What he did next, though, was an absolute genius stroke of marketing that turned a PR nightmare into a huge opportunity.

Shannon announced on Tuesday that, in partnership with Gameday Spirit, he was releasing shirts with an illustration of the upside-down banner on the front and the phrase “When life turns you upside down, turn it around” on the back. A portion of the proceeds from the shirts would be given to the local Don Moyer Boys & Girls Club of Champaign.

The shirts drew a huge response from fans, teammates and the media online, with everyone loving the idea. It was a brilliant marketing move, turning a gaffe into gold. Shannon has always bounced back from adversity well, whether dealing with a nagging back injury his junior year at Texas Tech, fighting all of the hate that came from his court case at Illinois or now turning a major mistake on a night celebrating him into a business opportunity.

Despite all that he’s dealt with, the Chicagoan has gotten through it and is living his dream in the NBA. He’s taken that same humble, head-down mentality with him, whether he sees the floor, sits on the bench, plays in the G League or is the go-to guy on a given night. But no matter what happens in his professional journey, he will always have legend status at Illinois. 

“That ain’t normal to get your jersey up there,” Shannon said. “Everybody up there, who got their jersey up there, deserves it. I’m just happy I can be an addition to it.”

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