Murray State University Athletics
Former Racer Chris Shumate signs with Kentucky Reach of WBA
4/14/2005 11:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
"I'm not ready to quit playing," Shumate said. "I love the game, and someday, I want to be a coach."
Shumate added that after a year out of the college game, he understands that he wants to be around the game always.
"Basketball is my passion and my avenue to affect young people," he said, "and that is more important than any amount of money you can make doing something else."
Shumate was always a fan favorite at Murray State, and he left the Racers program having participated in one of its most historic seasons. In 2004, the Racers, with first-year head coach Mick Cronin, went 28-6 and made the NCAA Tournament for the 12th time.
During that season, Shumate became the 32nd member of the MSU 1,000-point club, finishing his Murray State career ranked 24th all-time in scoring.
No doubt, the Kentucky Reach wants Shumate to shoot the ball. Shumate ranks in the top five all-time at Murray State in three-point percentage and made three-pointers.
Shumate, who last year in insurance and pharmaceutical sales, said he knows now that he wants to coach, and he's going to make it happen.
"This past year out of the game has taught me that I really miss it and I want to be around it for the rest of my life," he said. "I've met with Coach Cronin, and there are avenues out there to get into college coaching, and that's the road I want to take, but I wouldn't rule out coaching in the high school ranks either."
Shumate and his teammates, including former Kentucky star Antwan Barber and Louisville's James Brewer, worked out over the weekend and are scheduled to open their season April 22 against the Birmingham Magic in Elizabethtown.
Antoine Whelchel, another member of the Murray State 1,000-point club, played last season for the Gainesville, Ga., squad in the WBA, and is again playing for them this season.
More information about the WBA can be found online at www.WBAball.net.
