Murray State University Athletics
Former Racer Chris Shumate drafted into NBA's Developmental D-League
11/4/2005 6:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
"I'm excited to say the least," said Shumate, who was preparing to fly from Lawrence, Kan. (where he played in an exhibition game Thursday night against Kansas State as a member of the EA Sports team) to Little Rock, where he'll make his home during the coming season. "I realized after my career at Murray State was over, I wanted to keep on playing, and I'm having so much fun."
Shumate has traveled much since leaving the Murray State program as its 24th all-time scorer and leading the Racers to a 28-6 record his senior season in 2003-04, and MSU's 12th appearance in the NCAA Tournament. He played last winter for the Kentucky Reach of the WBA (World Basketball Association) with the franchise in Elizabethtown, Ky., and averaged 16 points per game.
He was all set to play for the ABA's Indiana Alley Cats when the call came from the NBA's Arkansas fanchise.
"The pro game is about money, and now it's my job, and you have to perform, just like anyone else. If you don't do your job, they cut you," Shumate remarked about how the college game and professional game differ.
Shumate, a 6-5 guard/forward, had briefly entered the insurance business after his graduation from MSU, but quickly found that his desire for the game still burned strong.
"I've got all my life to have a regular job, so this is great to be able to have the chance to play as a pro," he said. "It's something that I've dreamed about since I was a kid. Maybe it will pay off like is has for James."
James Singleton, that is, the former Racer who played in Italy the last two years and was recently signed by the NBA's Los Angeles Clippers, and scored 25 points on opening night this week.
Shumate and Singleton played together at Murray State for two seasons.
"Any time one of your teammates has the success he's having, it makes me happy for him, and I begin to dream that it's a possibility for me," Shumate said. "I'm proud to say I was his teammate at Murray State."
The Arkansas Rimrockers are part of the NBA's D-League with eight other teams: Austin, Texas (Toros); Albuquerque, N.M. (Thunderbirds); Fayetteville, Ark. (Patriots); Florida Flame of Fort Myers; Fort Worth, Texas (Flyers); Roanoke, Va. (Dazzle); and Tulsa, Okla. (66ers).
The 45-game 2005-06 schedule begins when Arkansas hosts Austin on Nov. 25.
The Arkansas franchise selected 10 players in the draft and took Shumate in the sixth round; he was the 59th player selected overall. The Rimrockers selected Harvey Thomas (6-8 forward) from Baylor as their first pick of the draft.
