Darnell Shumpert was racing to register for his first college classes today, but he’s already earned a degree of sorts in marketing.
Virtually unknown at this time a year ago, Shumpert earned a scholarship to play for the Wildcats thanks in large part to efforts that increased his visibility.
First, Shumpert transferred from Sahuarita, a 3A school, to powerful Santa Rita, where he teamed with standout guard Terrell Stoglin. Before they became runners-up in the state 4A Division II championship, the Eagles were invited to play in the MLK Basketball Classic at McKale Center, where then-interim UA head coach Kevin O’Neill watched Shumpert and quickly offered him a chance to walk on.
Tyler Hansen, the Star’s high school sports editor last season, wrote about a Shumpert triple-double last season and also praised Shumpert in this May story.
Then, after averaging a triple double as a senior, Shumpert spent the summer with the high-profile Compton Magic, aiming to further increase his exposure.
Finally, in came scholarship offers from Alabama-Birmingham and George Washington. Shumpert was leaning toward going to UAB, but also thinking of attending a prep school to further attract better offers for 2009. Then UA called on Tuesday.
Shumpert found exactly what he was looking for, while the shorthanded Wildcats get an athletic, bigger player for practices at least, and a possible contributor for the future.
Shumpert gives UA 13 scholarship players for this season, counting former walk-on David Bagga. He is not guaranteed a scholarship for next season; the Wildcats already have 13 on paper for 2009-10 and will probably add another player or two since Chase Budinger and Jordan Hill are expected to leave next spring.
But even if his offer is not renewed at UA next season, Shumpert is likely to find a scholarship elsewhere. And if he impresses the UA coaches enough this year, they’ll likely find a way to keep him.
I havent heard this in a long time….. “I loved Arizona so bad it was just great when they offered me. It’s always been my dream to play for them.” This is the kind of kid you want on your team…
— Trev in Kc 08/27/2008 06:14 PM #
How is his scholarship different from other players who are guaranteed for four years? Why did he only get a year to year scholarship?
— Evan 08/27/2008 10:12 PM #
Darrell = Bennett Davison
Shumpert = Richard Jefferson
What is there not to like?
Unless…you’re name is Spunk-ie, or, whatever.
BEAR DOWN, RED AND BLUE!!!!!
— Carlos 08/27/2008 10:55 PM #
Evan — Technically, all scholarships are year-to-year but there is an implied understanding in most of them that they will be honored for the length of an athlete’s eligibility. However, in some cases, an athlete is told up front that he will receive a scholarship that is subject to being given away if the coaching staff fills up the following season. This was the case with Josh Pastner and Bret Brielmaier, who both paid their own way some seasons and received scholarships for others, depending on UA’s situation.
Since all scholarships are technically year to year, this is perfectly legal.
The reason it’s being done in this case is that UA does not want to lock itself into a player for 2009-10 when it may have better options available. UA is technically full for 2009-10 even without Shumpert and it is expecting to add at least one or two other guys.
However, I think Shumpert is confident enough to know that he can always take UAB or somebody else up on a full ride in 2009-10 if UA does not renew.
In addition, it is entirely possible UA has plenty of scholarships available next season anyway considering the amount of turnover there has been lately.
— Bruce Pascoe 08/27/2008 10:58 PM #
#1 in the nation in blocks and averaging a triple double? If he can already block and rebound well, with the coaching he will get, I’m sure he will progress well enough to keep his scholarship. Sounds like a great find. It’s always good to see local talent get a chance at AZ.
— Taco Bill 08/28/2008 07:35 AM #
There are some players who aren’t highly recruited because they are hooked into all of the ways that you get exposure. Don’t know if this is the case here. But even if he comes in and redshirts, what harm is there? The Cats have Budinger, Horne, Onobun, already to play the three.
— Doug 08/28/2008 10:24 AM #
Make that, “they are not hooked into all the ways…..”
— Doug 08/28/2008 10:25 AM #
Fendi OK?
This seems to be a good development re: Shumpert. There was a reference in the main story to Fendi Onobun’s recovery and status; i.e., “…continues to sideline him…” Can you say anything more about that?
— Portland Catfan 08/28/2008 12:12 PM #
Portland —- Fendi is still not playing pick-up ball. I haven’t spoken to him lately but believe he has a few more weeks to be cleared. This suggests he won’t be in top shape yet by the time full-length practices begin in October, though possibly he will be by the beginning of the regular season.
— Bruce Pascoe 08/28/2008 02:45 PM #
Shumpert = Richard Jefferson??? Carlos, you are too much.
But congratulations to the Cats. This is just the kind of recruit that the Bruins hope you continue to land.
— Jim Turner 08/29/2008 06:45 AM #
And Jim, we all hope that the Bruins keep landing fat slow white men that travel a lot and get abused off the dribble by fast guards…cheers!
— scott 08/29/2008 08:55 AM #
Does Scott mean the same Bruins that own the PAC-10 and go to final fours? Or maybe there is a Podunk Bruins I don’t know anything about. I sure wish our fast guards could drive around their fat slow white guys.
— Larry 08/29/2008 01:23 PM #
Larry,
review the game tapes, when our guards were allowed to attack the basket they pretty much got what they wanted. The problem was the O’Niell’s system called for screens and outside shots. As I recall, and maybe you missed it Larry, We were within one basket of beating the “almighty” Bruins last February, in large part because our fast guards got what they wanted when attacking Love around the basket.
UCLA’s strength is in athletic quick back court players that make it easy on their slower bigger post players. Once our guys got around their guards we had everything we wanted…if you need further proof, watch every tournament game they were in and especially the Memphis game…quick guards made Love and the other post players look pretty silly. Don’t think the other Pac-10 coaches haven’t noticed.
— scott 08/29/2008 02:24 PM #
I guess the NBA was wrong when they picked Love as a lottery pick. I’m afraid fast guards or not, UCLA is going to dominate us again this year regardless of what Lute can do with a no “one and done” roster.
— Don 08/29/2008 04:46 PM #
Maybe Scott is talking about the Bruin team(s)that beat those fast guards he’s talking about the last three, or has it been the last four, years.
— adman 08/29/2008 05:45 PM #
Alright, Bruuuuu-ce Man, help me out here.
Please give us Richard Jefferson’s stats over his 3-year Wildcat career.
This, I believe, will show just how close Shumpert and Richard are.
And they’re the same kind of player — 6’ 7”, 195 lbs., quick feet, good hands, sky walker, good head for the game, team player, difference-maker.
You watch.
And BEAR DOWN, RED AND BLUE!!!!!
— Carlos 08/29/2008 07:28 PM #
Carlos, let me get this straight . If Bruce or anyone provides you with Jefferson’s stats, then we will all see the similarities between Jefferson and Shumpert (who has no collegiate stats to compare)? The logic or even common sense in this argument eludes me. Perhaps comparing their high school stats would provide SOME insight, but I really doubt that anyone (in their right minds)really thinks that the two players are closely matched beyond size. Your level of optimism is certainly inspirational though, even if it borders on delusional:)
— Barney 08/29/2008 08:23 PM #
My point is this: A big deal is being made over how little offensive production Shumpert brings the Cats.
But if you check how Jefferson did in his stint as SF-G (Shumpert’s projected positions) for the Cats, and even in HS, you’ll see how similar these two guys really are.
While they don’t rack up the points — they’ll score a quiet 10-15, maybe 20 — they’re busy doing other things, like boarding and batting shots…into the
stratosphere.
Check it.
BEAR DOWN, RED AND BLUE!!!!!
— Carlos 08/29/2008 11:25 PM #
Did this kid play any AAU ball, or anything outside of high school? How could he keep such a low profile if he played any place that scouts could see him?
It appears to me that this is a big wild card that is being given an opportunity to see what he’s got. Like Brielmier(sic) he could find himself in an off and on scholarship position during his entire career with his only other option being to transfer. We’ll see.
— adman 08/30/2008 11:25 AM #
Carlos — Sorry I don’t have access to old UA stats this weekend (I’m covering the D’backs) but Jefferson was a highly rated player out of high school. He didn’t ever get great scoring numbers at UA, though, averaging about 11.5 points as a junior before he left, but that was in part due to the other talent on the team.
Adman — He did not get good AAU exposure after his sophomore and junior seasons — the critical time to do so — and Tucson high school ball is not great for exposure either. That’s why he spent this summer with the Compton Magic, which appeared to have boosted his stock. So he did have a handicap there. I wonder if he was an L.A. kid if he would have attracted any Pac-10 offers off the bat.
— Bruce Pascoe 08/30/2008 04:46 PM #
I thk I have it figured out: If Chase plays well enuf to make the top ten draft choices; Jordan gets drafted at all; Nic plays as well as he did last year; Jamelle plays like the star I think he will become; Fendi recovers and we get a lot of production in a reserve role from Whithey, Johnson and either of the newest freshman we MAY make the top 1/2 of the PAC and go to the dance. No injuries though.
— Larry 08/31/2008 12:27 PM #
I have been hoping for this. Why not give your last scholarship to a hard-working kid who is improving steadily and really wants to play for UA? The Cats fill a spot, gain more depth up front and hopefully find a diamond in the rough. Win-Win
— Ron W 09/02/2008 06:50 AM #
I have had the opportunity to watch both Shumpert and Jefferson in high school, they both were dominating in their day, Shumpert is no match for the talent of Jefferson. Jefferson was far more athletic and had considerably more hops. Shumpert on the other hand has very good timing and good quicks to help in his recovery. He doesn’t posses the Basketball IQ that Jefferson possesed at the same stage of their development. I think this is an awesome move by the Cats and hope that Shumpert develops into the type of player that Jefferson became before he leaves…but he is a lot more raw than Jefferson was at the same stage.
If he had been with Ferguson for four years and was able to play in top flight AAU like Stoglin has, I think you could compare him more favorable to Jefferson, but not now.
— Rick T 09/02/2008 06:13 PM #
Fair enough.
Thanks, Rick, Bruce and Barney.
Next question: Does Stoglin come with Shumpert?
Gotta love the local flavor coming back into the Cat fold, at any rate.
Makes for a more loyal, not-so-easily shaken, determined Cat.
Kinda like an Elliott and Frye.
And it shows Coach O reaching back to U of A roots to continue reloading and growing the legendary program.
BEAR DOWN, RED AND BLUE!!!!!
— Carlos 09/02/2008 10:08 PM #
Carlos – I think they’d have a very good chance of landing Stoglin if they want him but, as far as I know, they have not offered him a scholarship at this point.
— Bruce Pascoe 09/02/2008 10:33 PM #