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Georgia Tech

Shumpert puts in for NBA draft

5:52 pm March 28, 2011, by Doug Roberson

While Brian Gregory was was being introduced as Georgia Tech’s new basketball coach, his best player, point guard Iman Shumpert, tweeted that he is going declare for the NBA draft. He later tweeted that he had made up his mind before meeting Gregory at 4 p.m. Monday.

However, he said he hasn’t hired an agent, which means he can remove his name from the eligibility list. Former Tech player Gani Lawal did the same thing after his sophomore season before he went pro after his junior year. Underclassmen have until April 24 to declare. However, the NBA and the player’s union are facing a collective bargaining situation that could threaten the 2011-12 season.

Shumpert, a second-team All-ACC player, averaged 17.3 points and 5.9 rebounds last season. He also made the conference’s defensive team.

Shumpert didn’t tell Gregory that he was going to put his name in for the draft. Gregory didn’t seem too aggravated afterward, saying that issue will be discussed between he and the team.

Shumpert tweeted the liked the new coach, “he’s a phirst class guy.”

He later tweeted, “I repeat…my decision was not a diss to th3 n3w coach people! Just all happened th3 same day”

During his press conference, Gregory said that he has a responsibility to help players who think they are ready to leave school early and play basketball professionally. He said the players who think they can are in a much better position than the players who need to leave school early.

– Doug Roberson, AJC

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77 comments Add your comment

Supersize that order, mutt

March 28th, 2011
8:44 pm

OK, Tony, I just wanted to be sure you didn’t think I was taking a cheap shot at Iman. And I hope you’re right in your thoughts that he WILL be back next year. Tech needs him, and I think a new coach will be good for him.

Tony Shumpert

March 28th, 2011
8:47 pm

That should have said Muhammed, Imans son….I am at work and have to type fast sometimes.

Supersize that order, mutt

March 28th, 2011
8:51 pm

Tony, there’s really no reason for you to answer this, but are you related to Iman, or are you just using that name because you know or like him? Just as a point of info, unrelated, of course, I met the parents (maybe grandparents) of Anthony Sherrod several years after his untimely suicide. I told them how I had been at the UGA game that Anthony won on the last shot, and how fantastic a memory that was for me, especially in light of his death. I cannot begin to tell you how moved they were. It made their day, and definitely made mine to to see their reaction.

Tony Shumpert

March 28th, 2011
8:57 pm

I am Iman’s Uncle(his mom is my sister). I used
to post a few years ago but was personally attacked, I assume from a rival college, and quit the blog. I live in Chi-Town with most of Iman’s family.

wallter braswell

March 28th, 2011
8:59 pm

It seemed that too often Shumbert tried to be a one man team. Good coaching on team work might work miracles. Not seen much team work at GT like many of the lesser known teams in the tournament.

Supersize that order, mutt

March 28th, 2011
9:03 pm

Very cool. Tony. Glad to know that even up in the Windy City, you keep up with your family members. And believe me, I DO wish him the best….and I HOPE he stays at Tech :)

GoJackets!

March 28th, 2011
9:07 pm

I think Iman will be an awesome pro. He just wasn’t developed as well as he should under Hewitt. He still has unbelievable raw talents people can’t teach. He could be a first rounder if he gets coached properly by staying one more year. He could still be that if he has a great work out with NBA teams. With the lockout looming it’s possible he won’t have a chance to play actual games at high level for a while though. I hope he tests the water and makes the best decision for himself. If he comes back I bet they’ll make the tournament next year.

5150 UOAD

March 28th, 2011
9:22 pm

Tony
I am not against Iman. He has to do what is RIGHT for HIS family not my FAN CRAZY AZZ. LOL I want him to stay for my selfish reasons yes, but also for his best chance to get the degree too. I would never root against a former Tech player for things to be bad in their life. I just want kids to want to be at TECH and Stay at TECH and be JACKETS for LIFE. I don’t like feeling like a BACKSEAT BECKY on Friday night. 3 yrs is really putting in the time for damn sure. I pull for Dwyer and Morgan still. I just wish they would STAY and it helps the WHOLE INSTITUTE get better. Recruiting gets better. The Team gets better with less turnover. 4th and 5th year SENIORS a program makes.

Tech Fan Since 1950

March 28th, 2011
9:31 pm

Iman, you may know yourself better than anyone. You certainly have paid your dues at Tech under some difficult situations. My only thoughts are: You need to get that Tech degree, but if you do decide to head to the NBA, sooner rather than later, make your decision based on advice. I wish more Tech players had committed to stay at Tech for at least three years, but I really wish all Tech players would get that degree first. Sometimes patience with the process pays a lot more. Best wishes to you whatever you decide and thanks for being a Yellow Jacket! You have represented GT well.

George Stein

March 28th, 2011
9:51 pm

If he goes and gets picked in the first round – and, as such, gets a guaranteed contract – I think it’s the smart move. However, there will be a lockout in the NBA following this season and he should consider that in his decision.

Who can blame him for going though if it means he gets to realize his dream and secure himself financially for life?

Ed

March 28th, 2011
10:21 pm

Where is our “insider” dadgum?

C C

March 28th, 2011
10:32 pm

Thanks for the insight, Tony!

Well said, George S.

Best wishes for Iman and his family, regardless of his final decision. I can’t blame players for choosing to leave early if they think it’s best for them but I hope he graduates from GT.

Yes, the ones that leave after just a year take a big toll with continuity etc. In the grand scheme of things, usually schools make a LOT of money from signing talented 1 year players, even after their expenses/scholarship…and like it or not that speaks loudly.

TomB

March 28th, 2011
11:25 pm

Yea, where is Dadgum? He didn’t know dadgum much regarding this coaching search. Now, who are these insiders again?

ben

March 28th, 2011
11:56 pm

I just wonder what Iman could have become with a fundamentals / discipline oriented coach. Hopefully, he will get a shot in the NBA, and will get some good coaching to help him. He certainly improved his third year, but the guy had All American talent which was never harnessed. I think a fourth year would help him in the draft, but I’m not him nor do I have his challenges in my life. So, good luck kid, Hope for your sake you blossom in the pros.

Hayseed Dixie

March 29th, 2011
12:24 am

Not TRyiN 2 hAt3 on ImAn, p33pul, BuT the S00n3r w3 g3t RiD of Anyth1NG to d0 w1th PaUL H3w1TT, TH3 B3tt3R.

Dannyboy

March 29th, 2011
1:32 am

Anyone that criticizes Iman for making a choice that’s in his best interest is just selfish, and honestly, shouldn’t call themselves a true GT fan. First, people go to school foremost to learn a profession, and Iman has a great opportunity to follow capitalize on the dreams of all basketball players as well as the potential to take care of his family for life. If the feedback from teams isn’t what Iman and his family wants, he has every opportunity to return to GT to finish his education and help Coach Gregory and the team for another year. If you listened to Coach Gregory’s presser today, even he said that if a player has the opportunity to play in the next level, it’s the staff’s responsibility to make sure that player gets there. That’s the type of coach, and attitude that will attract the best players to GT, and our new coach will make sure the academic side is taken care of while the players are at GT. Athletes don’t owe their schools anything more than what their scholarships are for: perform on the field, and the school will pay for your classes and living expenses. That’s it. That’s all. I hate when people come on here and bash kids for leaving to follow their dreams of playing professional sports because they those student athletes owe a school their lives. They student athletes don’t owe fans anything but giving the school and fans 100% on the field and court and representing the school well. It was the same when the Big 4 left for the NFL (Dwyer, Burnett, Morgan, and Thomas), as it was for Gani Lawal and Favors. It’s a shame because the majority of GT fans are great, it’s just the idiotic vocal minority that comes on here and spews their ignorance when an athlete wants to take advantage of an opportunity most of us dream about but can never achieve, which is to play professional sports.

From a one GT alum, and fan, I say good luck to Iman. If you don’t find what you’re looking for in the NBA this year, the GT family (90% of us atleast) will welcome you back with open arms for your senior year!

EKT

March 29th, 2011
6:53 am

Iman Shumpert should stay at TECH…. TECH needs him. Here we go again.

So what?

March 29th, 2011
7:06 am

Let him go, let all of Hewitt’s spoiled brat players go. If he really thinks he’s THAT good….good luck pal. I think Bosh is the only one that has something to show for that has left in the past decade.

BYRDDAWG

March 29th, 2011
8:25 am

So what, just because he’s one of phewitt’s players does not make him like phewitt!!! Give the kid a break….If you play a team sport & don’t have ANY loyalty towards your former coach then something is wrong! Being a DAWG I hope he goes but I really believe it’s in his best interest to stay : 1-because I don’t see him going in the 1st round & 2-because with a coach that stresses fundamentals he can only improve his NBA stock!!!! Just sayin

IMEMINE Chumpert

March 29th, 2011
8:39 am

Good ridance. We don’t need any player that would tweet that type of self focused news intentionally during the press conference to distract attention from the new coach. Coach Gregory will replace him and his type with players that are coachable, can spell team, and he can go on to oblivion in the oblivioin in the NBA or oversea leagues.

Buzz

March 29th, 2011
9:05 am

Iman if you can get the money GO!!! Who could blame you? I can’t, I just hope your not the next Scotty Richardson (Former Arkansas player). I wish you would come back but can’t blame you for taking the money!!!! I’m not too jazzed about the hire but HE CAN’T be worse then BLEWITT!!!!! Gool luck CBG!!!!!!!!

ATLER (ramblin wreck)

March 29th, 2011
9:33 am

I see a lot of Tech fans dogging CPH. He was a good Coach, but just fell vitims of his recruiting of the one and done stable of recruits. More then a few form Jackets had no business leaving early, but I can only guess got bad advice or just didn’t want to listen. I like CPH and hated to see him go, but knowing it was time for him to go. All we can do is support the program and hope Shumpert will come back to help the young Jackets.

@ IMEMINE Chumpert shut the hell up with the player bashing. Like stated earlier we as Tech fans need to support our players whether they stay or leave early. ( except Mabury, never believed in the hype of that guy. )

ATL Celtic Fan

March 29th, 2011
12:11 pm

5150 UOAD…..First of all the Atlanta Celtic players don’t need Tech because they would have been 1 and done players no matter what school they attended. You really need to be careful what you wish for also because if they do start sending all of their players to UGA then it will be a dynasty being built in Athens. Those same Celtic players are the ones that took Tech to the Final 4.

J W

March 29th, 2011
6:54 pm

Iman, please forget all those glad-handing, back slapping, smirkish smiling hanger-ons who’ll say anything to inflate your ego. Truth is, there are only so few positions available in the NBA and although you have some talent and some excitment in your game, most feel you are just not NBA ready at the moment. Lot of at least equally talented competition out there. Another year of maturity and learning and demonstrating leadership will have a great impact in the grand scheme of things down the road.

J W

March 29th, 2011
7:03 pm

Walter, I agree with your post but you have to admit, there were times when Iman HAD to be a one-man show (as when coaches failed to get rest of team to show up).

Supersize that order, ,,,,,,,,, God bless you, man. It is THE Anthony Sherrod’s of this program (and Michael Isenhour’s etc etc etc and many more) that earned and deserve our fond rememberance. {from the stars such as Yunkus, to the Steppe’s to the Causeys and so many more, you are not forgotten} Hope we can retain Willie Reese – with suce dedication to GT.

J W

March 29th, 2011
7:11 pm

IMEMINE Chumpert : do you honestly think he intentionally tried upstaging the news conference? If so, you are a bigger child than you accuse him of being. That being said, have to remember Iman is a kid and kids will do their Tweetering at anytime. Serious GT fans would be concentrating on the Coach Gregory announcement and not let a tweet interupt that. (just as an FYI, as if anyone cares, I do not Twitter, Facebook, MySpace or any of that social media stuff —- just a very few comments on ocassion on public message boards such as this.

GT

March 29th, 2011
9:42 pm

Royal Solid….do you know what that recruits name was

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