American basketball player Iman Shumpert is presently a member of the Sacramento Kings of the National Basketball League (NBA). Iman began playing basketball with his school teams after being born and reared in Illinois, US. Iman engaged in numerous fights while growing up in a dangerous neighborhood, yet he still played basketball. Iman finished his first season at “Georgia Tech University” as his team’s fourth-leading scorer. In 2011, he was selected by the “New York Knicks” in the NBA draft during his senior year at college. Iman came in at number five in the 2012 NBA Rookie of the Year standings. Iman had a respectable career despite being injured for the first several seasons with the “Knicks.” To keep his status on the team, nevertheless, this was insufficient, and in 2015, he was traded to the “Cleveland Cavaliers.” He once again performed above average there, but injuries kept him from playing much. He was acquired by the “Sacramento Kings” at the beginning of 2018 as part of a three-team transaction. Iman made his contract only valid for the 2018-2019 season, skipping the 2017-2018 campaign to make his ‘Kings’ debut.
Early Childhood & Life
Odis and L’Tanya Shumpert welcomed Iman into the world on June 26, 1990, in Oak Park, Illinois, United States. He was one of the four sons of the marriage. His mother is a professor, and his father works as an insurance broker. When he was younger, he and his elder brothers began playing basketball in their backyard, where Iman frequently defeated them.
Iman was enamored with the game of basketball as a child and looked up to Michael Jordan. Iman frequently accompanied his aunt Carolyn to basketball games because she was such a big enthusiast. Iman attended a basketball game between the “Bulls” and the “Celtics” when he was around 8 years old, and it was one of the most significant days of his life. The ‘Bulls’ triumphed, and the ‘Bulls’ players shook hands with Iman as he sat courtside. Iman became attracted by the “NBA” as a result of this.
Early on, he began playing basketball at the high school level, and by the time he was in the eighth grade, he was an important member of his squad at the ‘Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School.’ He played on the same squad as Evan Turner at the time, who went on to become a well-known NBA player.
Iman afterward enrolled in Oak Park and River Forest High School and was a vital member of his school’s team once more. He was named to the first team of all-state athletes there and appeared on the list of the top 30 senior athletes in the nation. He was listed as the 15th-best senior player in the nation by “Scout.com.”
He was given the opportunity to participate in the famous “McDonald’s All-American Game” in 2008. He was recognized as a third-team “Parade All-American” in the same year.
Career in College
Iman Shumpert joined “Georgia Tech University” in 2008, where he immediately became an important member of the group. He had an outstanding first year of college, ranking fourth on the team in scoring with 10.5 points per game average.
He struggled with knee problems throughout the second season and missed many games as a result. Despite this, he had a successful recovery and finished the season as the third-best player with an average of 10.0 points per game.
Iman’s third year of playing collegiate basketball was when he was at his finest. He averaged more than 17 points per game, making him just the seventh player in ‘Atlantic Coast Conference’ (ACC) history to accomplish the milestone. Additionally, he retains the ‘Georgia Tech’ record for most thefts made in a game.
He could hardly have gone unnoticed in the ‘NBA’ draft after such outstanding achievements. His college studies had to be interrupted in March 2011. He was selected by the “New York Knicks” in the same year. Thus, he started playing basketball professionally with the “NBA.”
Career of Iman Shumpert
The “Knicks” selected Iman with the 17th overall pick in the draft. Jared Jeffries, a teammate, lauded him and said he was one of the best on-ball defenders in the “NBA” during his first few games with the “Knicks.”
Iman was chosen to take part in the “NBA All-Star Weekend Slam Dunk Contest” in 2012. However, a knee ailment prevented him from taking part. He was bothered by his knee ailment for a very long period.
In a match against the “Miami Heat,” he sustained a knee injury after making a comeback in April 2012. He was removed from the court right away. Iman would have to miss the remainder of the season due to the injury, which was quite serious, according to medical examinations.
He was given a decent spot in the “Rookie of the Year” voting despite the injuries and the fact that he missed most of his rookie season. Iman received 33 votes overall, placing her in fifth place. 120 sports journalists and broadcasters participated in the voting process. Iman, in an odd turn of events, was the only rookie to receive votes for “Defensive Player of the Year.”
Following medical clearance, Iman resumed practicing with his team at the beginning of 2013. On January 17, he played his first game of the year in London against the “Detroit Pistons,” and he finished with 8 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 assist.
He made up for the time he missed playing by playing superbly for the “Knicks,” who became one of the league’s top teams as a result. He had yet another injury in December 2014. He injured his left shoulder during a game against the “Boston Celtics.”
Early in 2015, the ‘Cleveland Cavaliers’ acquired him. He played in his new team’s inaugural game on January 23. He recorded 8 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists in the contest versus the “Charlotte Hornets.” His contribution was crucial in getting his team into the 2015 “NBA Finals.” But the “Golden State Warriors” defeated his team to win the championship.
Despite a disappointing loss in the championship game, Iman’s performance was praised. His contract was extended in July 2015, making him a $40 million player.
In September 2015, he suffered yet another injury, forcing him to miss the next three months of play.
Iman recorded 12 points and 16 rebounds in a game against the “Boston Celtics” in March 2016. His score set a new record for him. He missed a few games before to the season’s playoffs due to a different ailment. He nevertheless arrived just in time and assisted his club in making it to the ‘NBA Finals’ for a second straight season.
The ‘Cavaliers’ had a rocky start, but they staged a historic comeback in the finals to claim the ‘NBA’ championship. Iman kept up his incredible play the next year, and he set a career-high with 18 points in a contest against the “Detroit Pistons.”
In 2017, he helped his club make it to the “NBA Finals” for the third time in a row. The “Cavaliers,” however, were defeated by the “Golden State Warriors” in the championship game.
Iman received a two-month sabbatical in December 2017 due to yet another injury. Iman was purchased by the “Sacramento Kings” in February 2018.
Individual Life of Iman Shumpert
Rap music is adored by Iman Shumpert. In 2012, he also made his rap music debut with the song “Knicks Anthem” and a mixtape. His most well-known tracks include “Chiraq” and “Dear Kendrick.” Iman released an EP named “Substance Abuse” in April 2018.
Teyana Taylor, a music artist, is Iman’s wife. Iman Tayla Shumpert Jr., the couple’s daughter, was born in December 2015. Iman used only his bare hands to deliver the child by himself.