One of the fasted rising prospects in the state of Illinois is Christian Shumate. After previously attending Plainfield East High School and averaging 15 points and 7.7 rebounds per game last season, the 6’5” forward made the switch to Bloom High School over the summer. At Bloom, he teamed up with a loaded senior lineup including Martice Mitchell, Keshawn Williams, Dante Maddox, and Donovan Newby. Shumate has shined early on in the season already putting up two triple doubles. 

So far, the senior has received scholarship offers from Chicago State, Detroit Mercy, Grambling State, Lewis University, and Northern Missouri. With his strong play, plenty of other programs have started to get involved with Shumate. The other schools involved with him recently include DePaul, Georgia, New Mexico, North Dakota, Northern Kentucky, Southern Illinois, among others. 

When asked if any of the schools recruiting him stand out, there was one that he mentioned, “Southern Utah keeps in contact a lot, always shows love.” While he has no visits scheduled, he is planning on making some visits soon. 

When asked what he is looking for in a college, Shumate mentioned “good fit to my style of play, good relationships and minutes freshman year.” His current plan is to make a decision on his future college “towards the end of the season.”

Shumate is one of the most athletic players in Illinois as well as all of the Midwest. The high flyer is a stat stuffer putting up points, rebounds, and blocks in bunches. He plays with a great energy to dominate in the paint on both ends of the court. So far in the young season Shumate and Bloom are off to a quality start with a state championship on their minds.