Terrence Shannon Jr.’s jersey retirement event at Illinois on Saturday night took an unexpected turn—literally. When the former All-American pulled the cord to reveal the banner celebrating his illustrious two-year tenure with the Illini, it unintentionally unfurled upside down, adding a humorous twist to the evening’s festivities honoring a program icon.

Laughter and gasps echoed through the State Farm Center as the crowd recognized the amusing mishap. However, Shannon handled the blunder with ease, flashing a smile as he gazed up at the banner.

Last season, Shannon shattered Illinois’ single-season scoring record, amassing an impressive 736 points. His outstanding performance led the Illini to a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament and a place in the Elite Eight. The talented 6-foot-6 guard averaged 23 points per game, finishing just behind the National Player of the Year, Zach Edey from Purdue, in the Big Ten.

Before joining Illinois for the 2022-23 season, Shannon played three seasons at Texas Tech. He quickly established himself as the leading scorer for the Illini, averaging 17.2 points per game. His remarkable progress culminated last season, solidifying his legacy among the Illinois basketball greats.

In the 2024 NBA Draft, the Minnesota Timberwolves selected Shannon as the 27th overall pick. He has appeared in 16 games during his rookie season. With the NBA currently on its All-Star break, Saturday provided the perfect opportunity for the Illini to honor their former star player.

For future events, a thorough rehearsal a few hours before the game might be in order.