When Oak Park native Iman Shumpert was drafted by the New York Knicks with the 17th pick in the first round of the 2011 NBA Draft, nobody was happier for him than best friend Troy Aldridge.
“I was speechless,” Aldridge said. “Even though I didn’t jump around or anything, I felt tears of joy because it’s incredible to see your best friend’s dream come true. I felt like, ‘wow this is really happening.'”
In actuality, the Knicks’ selection of Shumpert also altered the course of Aldridge’s life. The 6-5 shooting guard brought Aldridge aboard as a personal assistant.
“When Iman got drafted, he told me he was going to take me with him and that’s what he did,” Aldridge said. “Some friends lose touch [after high school] but we never have. We’ve been friends for 15 years.
“As his personal assistant, I just make sure he’s good. I make sure he’s working out during the summer, getting his rest, not always in the club and not making any bad decisions. He’s always trusted me and I’m here if he needs anything.”
As kids growing up in Oak Park, Shumpert and Aldridge became friends through a love of sports. They moved on to become basketball teammates at OPRF. Aldridge also starred as a defensive lineman for the Huskies before attending college at Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee. After a stellar hoops career at OPRF, Shumpert played college basketball at Georgia Tech.
“Troy and I go back to elementary school playing sports together,” Shumpert said. “I like to be around guys that love to compete whether it’s football, basketball, volleyball, running in track, throwing the shot put, anything really. That’s how we became friends, through competition. Once he transferred to [Gwendolyn] Brooks [Middle School], that was all she wrote. We were like frick and frack.”
Their bond extends to several other former OPRF basketball teammates. Guys like Levell Coppage, Dan Barnes, Adam Taylor, Quinn Peterson, Phil Gary, Lamont Sanders, Maurice Starks and De’Angelo Speech help out at Shumpert’s annual summer basketball camp held in the field house. Many among the tight-knit group even formed a brotherhood called 3ABM in high school.
“3ABM is about how we have all remained ‘brothers’ since leaving OPRF,” said Peterson, an assistant coach on the OPRF basketball team. “It has grown beyond ourselves to become a movement of people working to have a positive influence, some of whom play basketball, make music, design clothes, teach youth as well as other endeavors.”
“Whether it was sports, school, making music or whatever, we always stayed together and had each other’s back,” Shumpert said. “That closeness growing up together is special. It’s kind of hard to make new friends because you don’t really know anybody in the same way as the guys you grow up with.”
OPRF basketball head coach Matt Maloney fondly recalls that group of players.
“The reason those teams were so good was in large part due to their closeness off the court,” Maloney said. “I love seeing those guys in the stands and coming back to help with Iman’s camp. I truly believe that there is not another program that fosters the relationships that have been built in the basketball program.”
The Clevelanders
While Oak Park will always be home, Shumpert and Aldridge recently relocated to Cleveland when the Knicks traded the former to the Cavaliers in a three-team. The two were back in town on Feb. 12 when the Chicago Bulls hosted Cleveland. Powered by Derrick Rose’s 31 points, the Bulls defeated the Cavaliers 113-98. Shumpert finished with six points and two rebounds in 22 minutes of action.
“It feels good coming back home,” Aldridge said. “This is where Shump and I are from so there’s always love. It’s tough losing to the Bulls, though, so it’s bittersweet.”
Along with Shumpert, the Cavaliers acquired guard J.R. Smith in the same deal on Jan. 5. Two days later, the organization acquired Denver Nuggets center Timofey Mozgov and a 2015 second-round draft pick for two future first-round picks to Denver. Those additions coupled with a star-studded roster including LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love have positioned the Cavaliers to make a run at an NBA title this season.
“I think with Timo, J.R. and myself, this team is a lot stronger defensively. We fuel a lot of our offense off our defense,” Shumpert said. “Everybody on the team has been very welcoming and excited to have us. When everybody gets along like we do on this team, it shows on the court.”
Shumpert is averaging 8.6 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.4 assists this season. Considering he dislocated his left shoulder in a game against the Boston Celtics in December and the subsequent trade to Cleveland, the four-year pro is having a solid season.
A member of the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2012, Shumpert showed he belonged in the pros as a big guard known for his tenacious defense and freaky athleticism. He quickly became a favorite among Knicks fans in spite of a lukewarm reception on draft night. Fours years into the league, heatlh and steady playing time are the keys to Shumpert’s success
“It’s going to be a constant effort to make sure I stay healthy this season,” Shumpert said. “The biggest thing with my shoulder is to keep strength in the muscles so I can protect it from popping out again. When I sat out for my [torn] acl [in 2012], it took me about two weeks before the playoffs before I felt all the way back.
“Now it’s just about getting my timing and rhythm back all the way where I want it to be. As long as I’m rolling before the playoffs, I’ll be happy.”
While Shumpert seemingly has found new life with an NBA contender, Aldridge is also enjoying the change of scenery.
“It’s been cool,” Aldridge said about the move. “In New York, there was a lot going on so it’s good for Iman to get out of there and work on some different things in Cleveland. He’s in a smaller place and smaller market now but the fans still love him. He just needs to find his niche with the Cavs.”
Away from the limelight of the NBA, Shumpert and Aldridge lead busy lives. Shumpert has a passion for rap music and released the song “Knicks Anthem” in 2012. A year later, he released the song “Dear Kendrick” in response to Kendrick Lamar’s verse in the song “Control” by Big Sean featuring Kendrick Lamar & Jay Electronica. Shumpert also made a music video, “Chiraq” which attracted considerable media attenton for its unique visual look.
Aldridge became a father a year ago when his son Graeson Kai was born. Both visit Oak Park during the offseason, where Shumpert not only holds his summer basketball camp but helps Opportunity Knocks, an Illinois non-profit organization that serves young people who have developmental disabilities in the Oak Park, Forest Park and River Forest communities through social, recreational and life-skills programming.
As Shumpert’s personal assistant, Aldridge has rubbed elbows with the game’s greats including Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony and Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant. Hanging out with the Cavaliers on a daily basis has been notably surreal in one respect.
“LeBron was always my favorite player so it’s weird seeing my best friend playing side-by-side with him,” Aldridge said. “It’s amazing because LeBron is a guy I’ve always looked up to as a player.”
Of course, Aldridge’s primary allegiance will always be with Shumpert and the rest of their OPRF crew.
“We all support each other especially Shump and me,” Aldridge said. “It’s great that we’re all young guys who graduated from Oak Park and [now] we’re out in the world having success. All of us are always striving to get better.”
Sounds like a pretty friendly competition.