Shannon Jr. allowed to rejoin Illini after judge grants restraining order - ESPN

A federal judge granted Illinois standout Terrence Shannon Jr.'s request for a temporary restraining order Friday, a decision that will allow him to rejoin the team and play for the program again weeks after he was suspended indefinitely following his December arrest on a felony rape charge for an alleged incident in Lawrence, Kansas.

The ruling comes a day after Shannon waived his right to an initial hearing in Douglas County (Kansas) and a judge set a Feb. 23 date for his preliminary hearing in the criminal case.

University of Illinois associate chancellor Robin Kaler issued a statement after the ruling saying Shannon «has been reinstated to full status as a University student-athlete and will be eligible for basketball practice and competition.» It also said that it «will continue to review the Court Order and monitor the case.»

Shannon's lawyers had requested the injunction earlier this month, claiming the school had made a «rush to judgment» and used an «unfair» process when it made the decision to suspend Shannon indefinitely late last month after a warrant was issued for his arrest after the alleged incident in September. A woman at a bar claimed Shannon had inappropriately touched her and sexually assaulted her.

Illinois officials responded and said they had «jurisdiction» over students attached to serious criminal charges. The school also said allowing Shannon to play would diminish its ability to address future conduct with students on its campus.

Judge Colleen Lawless, a federal judge in the United States District Court of the Central District of Illinois, ruled Friday against any monetary damages but stated the suspension will cause «harm» to Shannon.

«The Plaintiff has established that he has clearly