The University of Illinois issued an apology after a jersey retirement ceremony for former men's basketball star Terrence Shannon Jr. went hilariously wrong. During the halftime event at State Farm Center, Shannon's No. 0 jersey was unveiled upside down, creating a viral moment.
Following the 79-65 loss to Michigan State, Athletic Director Josh Whitman addressed the incident, expressing regret and taking responsibility for the blunder. He acknowledged the mistake stole a special moment from Shannon and apologized to the player, his family, and the fans.
Shannon, a key player in Illinois' Elite Eight run in the 2024 NCAA Tournament, was drafted 27th overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves. During his final season with the Illini, he averaged 23 points, 4 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game. This success followed a challenging period where Shannon faced sexual assault and rape allegations, charges he was later found not guilty of.
Despite the off-court issues, Shannon expressed gratitude for the jersey retirement, stating it came as a surprise after just two seasons with the team. Now, Illinois aims to rectify the upside-down jersey hanging in the rafters.
