May 3, 2011
ATLANTA – Georgia Tech’s basketball player Iman Shumpert announced Tuesday that he will remain in the NBA draft, ending a three-year collegiate career in which he developed into one of the top players in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Shumpert, a 6-5 junior who was selected second-team All-ACC in 2011, will retain an agent and begin working out for NBA teams to prepare for the draft.
“I’ve decided to forego my senior year at Georgia Tech, keep my name in the NBA draft for this year and hire an agent,” said Shumpert. “I appreciate everything that Georgia Tech has done for me over my time here. I’ve tried to take advantage of everything we have available, from our academic support system to our coaching staff and strength and conditioning, to help make me a better person and player. I want to thank the Georgia Tech fans for their support of our program even though we haven’t always met their expectations.
“I also want to extend my support to Coach Gregory and the new staff here going forward. I know the program is in good hands, and I look forward to following their progress. I’ll always remember everything that Georgia Tech has done for me.”
Shumpert, who was selected to the ACC’s All-Defensive team in 2011, finished his career No. 32 on Georgia Tech’s all-time scoring list with 1,166 points. He also climbed to 11th place on Tech’s career list for assists (382) and 4th in steals (207).
“Iman has been great during this entire process,” said head coach Brian Gregory. “He has participated in our team’s spring workouts and has continued to do well in his classes while also gathering the important information needed to make this decision. He’s had a tremendous career here, and I support the decision he and his family have made.
“After working with him the last month or so, I’m confident that his workouts will be very good and he has a successful NBA career in front of him. Iman and I have already begun discussions on completing his degree here. It is important to him and to his family that he is a graduate of Georgia Tech.”
In 2011, he achieved a rare feat by becoming only the fourth player in ACC history to lead his team in scoring (17.3 points per game), rebounds (5.9), assists (3.5) and steals (2.7). He ranked fourth in the conference in scoring average, 15th in rebound average, 10th in assists and first in steals. He also was among the top 10 in free throw and field goal percentages.
He scored in double figures 55 times in 92 career games, and recorded the fourth triple-double in Tech history against Virginia Tech on Jan. 25, scoring 22 points with 11 rebounds and 11 assists. It is the only triple-double ever for a Tech player against an ACC opponent.
