Shu Hopes to Fit in N.O.

By Jim Gazzolo

Christian Shumate met Joe Dumars the night McNeese State honored its most famous basketball player by naming its home court after him.

“It was a great honor to listen to him speak and talk with him,” Shumate said that January night in 2023. “To have a player like that come from McNeese and hear his story motivates you.”

Soon after, Shumate would go on a historic tear for the Cowboys down the stretch, as they won and finished the season strong, pulling off a pair of upsets in the Southland Conference postseason tournament, which was held on Joe Dumars Court.

Fast-forward to Thursday night when Shumate took to the floor in Las Vegas for his first game as part of the New Orleans Pelicans summer team. Shumate didn’t play in the team’s loss to Minnesota, but he is getting the shot he always dreamed of for the team that Dumars now runs as the Director of Basketball Operations.

The two McNeese players will now be linked forever as Shumate will audition for Dumars.

“It means the world to me,” Shumate said. “I’ve grown to call Louisiana home. When I found out that I’d be stationed here for the time being, as far as the Summer League, I was really excited. I’ve experienced some of the lowest and highest times of my life in Louisiana. So I’m kind of rooted here, and it was kind of a full circle moment being able to come back here and try to make strides to stay. It's been a blessing. I’m very grateful for the opportunity.

“I’m grateful for this opportunity. Louisiana is definitely a place I like to call home now. I want to bring pride back to the (Lake Charles) community that it can be proud of."

Shumate is a 6-foot-6 forward from Chicago who became a fan favorite in Lake Charles thanks to his hard work, aggressive play, and thunderous dunks. After suffering through two painful seasons, he decided to return to McNeese and not leave through the transfer portal when Will Wade became the head coach.

After suffering through a record 23-loss season in 2022-23, Shumate was rewarded for his loyalty by helping McNeese win two straight Southland Conference titles and the school’s first-ever NCAA Tournament game last spring.

Shumate is a four-time All-SLC performer and was named the league’s Defensive Player of the Year the last two seasons. He finished his career ninth on the Cowboys’ all-time scoring list and first with 40 double-doubles. 

Dumars is McNeese’s all-time leading scorer.

Shumate became well-known nationally when he dunked his way onto the big stage. Nine times during the 2023-24 campaign, he made ESPN SportsCenter's Top 10 Plays of the Day. 

Last summer he worked on his shooting and became better from long range. That is something the Pelicans have noticed. 

“In college, he wasn’t really known as a shooter,” Pelicans Summer League coach Corey Brewer said. “But the last three days, he’s really shot the ball amazingly. And he’s athletic. Christian has been the surprise and has really helped himself.”

Shumate concluded his four years at McNeese as the only player to reach the 1,000-point, 1,000-rebound, 100-blocked shot, 500-assist, and 200-steal milestones. He thinks he can now help the Pelicans or another NBA team.

“I think I can bring versatility and energy,” Shumate said. “I’m an athletic guy. I have a really high motor. I’ve been working on my shot a lot, so I can pretty much be a '3 and D' guy. I can knock down some shots. I offensive rebound very well. But I think the highest thing would be my motor and toughness.”

Shumate believes he has already learned a lot about himself and his game in the few days in New Orleans.

“I’ve learned that I’m more versatile than I thought,” Shumate said. “I’ve always been not one-dimensional, but I tried to do what I was good at all the time. But there are more things that I’m good at on the floor that I try to go to more often. So I think that’s been the main thing. Trying to show my skill in a lot of different areas instead of just the main thing.”

Whether or not Shumate will become the seventh player in McNeese history to make the NBA is still unknown. His old coach is rooting for him, though.

“He has worked hard to get better and I’m excited for him,” said Wade, who left for North Carolina State in the offseason. “He is going to play professionally somewhere, I know that.”

Shumate may never get his name on the floor of the Legacy Center like Dumars, but it won’t be long until his jersey hangs up in the rafters with the basketball Hall of Famer, who could become his boss if all works out.

Jim Gazzolo is a freelance writer who covers sports in Southwest Louisiana. He is also the host of Poke Nation, which airs weekly on CBS-Lake Charles.