Shumate's Return Paid Off

By Jim Gazzolo 

Late into the celebration last Monday night, as things were wrapping up, Christian Shumate grabbed the Southland championship trophy and headed toward the locker room.

The nets inside the Legacy Center had been cut down and the photos with fans had been taken as Shumate began the journey back to the showers.

It was only fitting that he be the one to carry the hardware to the back. His run to McNeese’s first regular-season conference title in 13 years had been a tough one.

Shumate, the electrifying McNeese forward, had suffered through the two longest years in Cowboy history. The kid from Chicago had played hard through 45 losses and lots of turmoil.

Now, he was getting his moment to enjoy the fruits of his labor and reward for staying with the program.

“It is really emotional,” said Shumate. “There have been a lot of peaks and valleys. You learn from both of them.”

For his teammates, it was easy to see what it meant to the guy who has brought national attention to the program with his highlight-worthy dunks.

“Christian has been through so much here,” said guard Shahada Wells. “This means a lot to him.”

McNeese head coach Will Wade knew nobody was better deserving to carry the trophy off than Shumate.

“He is the one who deserves this the most,” said Wade. “I’m very happy for him. He has been through so much and stayed here for this.”

Shumate didn’t stay at McNeese, he actually came back. After last year Shumate put his name in the transfer portal just as Wade was hired. He got some offers and a lot of attention, but in the end, he decided to stay.

“I liked what I heard from Coach Wade,” said Shumate, who is still just a junior and closing in on the top of the McNeese leaderboard for career rebounders. 

Shumate finished the season as the leader in rebounding for the Southland with a 9.7 average. He scored at a 12-point clip, meaning he just missed out on averaging a double-double. 

Shumate led the Cowboys in dunks with 49 and eight times was highlighted on ESPN’s Sportscenter for his ShuSlams. But it’s winning that has meant the most to him.

“Exciting, this means everything to me,” said Shumate while holding the trophy. “We have been through so much. This is a complete turnaround and I’m glad I’m here for it.”

Shumate and crew still have work to do. Their 28-3 record and 17-1 mark in the Southland Conference are nice but regular season marks get you nothing. 

The real prize is next week when they host the Southland championship in the Legacy Center. The Cowboys will be the No. 1 seed and won’t play until the semifinal round on Tuesday. 

It is there where the real prize can be won. The Cowboys, who are 16-0 at home this year, are just two big wins on their home floor from earning their first trip to the NCAA Tournament since 2002. 

It is hard to imagine the Cowboys making The Big Dance if they don’t win the Southland Tournament and Shumate knows it.

“We want to get to the NCAA that is the big goal,” he said. 

Shumate has earned his rewards he just wants a bigger prize. 

That’s the trophy he wants to carry off next.

Jim Gazzolo is a freelance writer who covers McNeese athletics. He is the host of Poke Nation on CBS-Lake Charles