The Rise of Iman Shumpert
No player's stock is rising faster than that of Georgia Tech point guard Iman Shumpert right now, and with just a few days until the draft, there's not a better time to hear your name in the mix with so many teams' picks. Shumpert caught our eye back when he was a freshman with the Yellow Jackets back in 2008 with his rare combination of size at 6'6" with a near-7-foot wingspan and athleticism as he had the draft camp's highest vertical leap at 42" (tied with Josh Selby). But his jumper never got better (career 30.5 percent shooter from behind the arc) and his decision-making has improved, but Shumpert still has a ways to go if he wants to be a full-time point guard in this league.
While Shumpert is shooting better in team workouts, while his athleticism and quickness are difficult to ignore. With his length and versatility, Shumpert also rates as one of the top two or three perimeter defenders in this draft.
We know his name has been brought up several times by NBA teams with first round picks, but his range stretches across the board. Shumpert was awfully impressive in his workout with Phoenix, but at No. 13, that would seem to be too high for him. The Knicks like him as a long-term prospect to replace Chauncey Billups, while Charlotte and Portland have also shown interest with their lack of a franchise point guard. New Jersey is in the mix, and at No. 27, might have to trade up to get Shumpert at this point in time.
By President Corey Ruff - 6-21-11
