JT Shumate (201-F-1999, college: Toledo) is a 25 year old 201cm forward from Newark, Ohio playing his second professional season and first with ERA Basketball Nymburk (Czech Republic-NBL). Last season he played with CSO Voluntari (Romania-Liga Nationala) averaging 7.6ppg, 3.3rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 66.7%, 3PT: 38.4%, FT: 74.2%; and in the ENBL averaged 10.5ppg, 5.3rpg, 1.6apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 65.0%, 3PT: 41.9%, FT-1 (92.6%). He began his basketball career with Newark High School and then played 2 seasons at Walsh University (NCAA2) averaging 18.7ppg, 6.1rpg, 1.7apg, 1.4bpg, FGP: 52.0%, 3PT: 43.6%, FT: 72.5% and 14.4ppg, 7.2rpg, 2.1apg, FGP: 49.7%, 3PT: 35.1%, FT: 73.9%. He then played 3 years at the The University of Toledo (NCAA) averaging 11.3ppg, 4.5rpg, 1.4apg, 1.3bpg, FGP: 67.2%, 3PT: 39.1%, FT: 82.3%, 15.0ppg, 6.1rpg, 1.8apg, 1.3bpg, FGP: 60.5%, 3PT: 48.2%, FT: 82.0% and 16.0ppg, 4.8rpg, 1.3apg, 1.2bpg, FGP: 61.9%, 3PT: 40.7%, FT: 86.7%. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a Basketball Champions League game against German team Rasta Vechta.

Thanks JT for talking to germanhoops.com You’re playing your second professional season with the ERA Basketball Nymburk (Czech Republic-NBL).What has it been like coming from Ohio to Nymburk? Last season you were in Romainia. How has it been living in little Nymburk? But Prague isn´t too far away right?

It has been a great transition this year coming to Nymburk! The town is beautiful and the country in general. Also, my team has really accepted me and made me feel valued. And yes, Prague being close by has been awesome. I’ve been 3 or 4 times already and I have loved the experience.

Your playing a BCL game against German team Rasta Vechta. What do you know in general about the country Germany and it´s basketball? Have you had friends ball in Germany?

I know that Germany has high level basketball players and I believe it is quite a growing market in the country. I have a friend named Keyshawn Feazell playing for Bamburg Basket right now and they seem to be a high level team as well. He said he loves Germany and is having fun.

Are you aware that Germany is world champion at the moment?

Yes, the World Cup champs! Their coach for those games seemed extremely passionate in the clips I saw.

What has it been like playing for ERA Basketball Nymburk (Czech Republic-NBL). It is almost always an automatic for this organization to win titles.

It’s a really fun play style and the Czech players have a confidence that I hadn’t seen before in European players. I’m enjoying it quite a lot.

What has been special for you personally so far playing for this organization. How do you feel that winning culture most?

It has been special for me being on the winning streak we’re on and sharing the ball like we do. Getting to visit Turkey and Greece for BCL was also a dope experience because they’re beautiful and unique places.

You have needed so adjustment period coming from the Romanian league. How would you compare the 2 national leagues of Czech Republic and Romania? It seems like Romania has a little more balance or not?

Well, I would say that they are similar in that Nymburk is sort of a historically more dominant version of Cluj in Romania. In Romania, Cluj is everyone’s superbowl and gets everyone’s best game. Whereas in Czech, Nymburk gets every team’s best because of their winning history.

The team has many talented players and are deep. Plus you have Nigheal Ceaser at your position. What exactly is your role on the team?

My role is making threes and impacting the game in any way that it’s needed. I can guard multiple positions but sometimes it looks like I can guard none, so my defense needs to improve.

What is it like battling JT Shumate on a daily basis? How do you guys make each other better?

He is extremely athletic and a high motor guy. Playing against him for me is mostly not trying to get run over. I love having him as a teammate.

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 201cm forward. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the description?

I think my best comparison in the NBA may be a Max Strus or an Austin Reaves.

How would you describe your game? Is it fair to say you’re a player that can make an impact at both ends?

My game is mainly playing off what the defense gives, spacing the floor, and shooting. I am very capable of making an impact on both ends of the court, but I think my best is yet to come this season on both sides of the ball. I don’t think I’ve really shown my ability to defend as well as I can or rebound yet.

Talk about your strengths. What do you feel is your biggest strength on the court? Versatility has to be one of those?

Shooting is definitely my biggest strength, but yes I pride myself on being versatile and doing what is needed of me on any team I’m on. I am about winning above all other things.

You are a classic sniper. You shot 40% or better in the NCAA including a 48% season and shot at 41% in the ENBL. How far are you from being an elite shooter?

I think as I get more and more comfortable in the European play style I can find ways to get more three point attempts and that will qualify me as an elite shooter.

You’re a very good defender and shot blocker at 201cm.Talk a little about where your defensive game is now and to what level do you still want to bring it to?

My defensive game has not been as good as it was in college yet in Europe. Adjusting to referees and the amount of physicality has been a struggle for me at times because I am usually undersized when guarding power forwards. But, I think as I am able to find ways to be physical without fouling I will be able to have a greater impact defensively.

On what areas of your game are you working on most so you can continue to improve as a player?

I am mostly working on becoming a more dynamic threat on offense and more consistent on defense.

Last season you played with CSO Voluntari (Romania-Liga Nationala) averaging 7.6ppg, 3.3rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 66.7%, 3PT: 38.4%, FT: 74.2%; and in the ENBL averaging 10.5ppg, 5.3rpg, 1.6apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 65.0%, 3PT: 41.9%, FT-1 (92.6%). What do you remember being your wake up call to being overseas where you knew you were far away from being from home?

Probably the first game we played against Cluj last year. We got beat at home and I was awful, missed a couple open threes and got subbed out for the remainder of the game for not following the scout on defense. I could really tell that I needed to be more focused and that it would take time to adjust after that game.

How vital was it for your game getting valuable playoff experience. You played 3 playoff rounds. What will you always remember from that first overseas post season?

I will never forget when Sibu came back and beat us in the playoffs. We were up something like 15 points with 2 minutes left, they turned up the pressure, and we started turning the ball over and lost. We ended up winning the series but I remember thinking after that game that you can really never get comfortable with a lead when playing professional basketball because players are so skilled that the game is hardly ever over.

You played 1 NBA Summer League game with the Toronto Raptors against the Warriors registering 6 minutes and 2 points. What kind of experience was that and what positives could you take from it?

I guess just being in that NBA environment was a positive. I loved the culture and work ethic of our practices and the resources that the players have at their disposal. It was some of my best cheerleading that summer despite our team struggling (:

You began at Walsh University (NCAA2) in 2019 playing 2 seasons and averaged 18.7ppg, 6.1rpg, 1.7apg, 1.4bpg, FGP: 52.0%, 3PT: 43.6%, FT: 72.5% and 14.4ppg, 7.2rpg, 2.1apg, FGP: 49.7%, 3PT: 35.1%, FT: 73.9%. You won 2 G-MAC titles. Which one was sweeter?

The first one was sweeter because I hadn’t experienced it yet and as a Freshman I thought it was so cool to be on such a successful team. Also, we got killed by Bellarmine in the tournament that year but it was better than the second because the tournament got canceled with COVID so we had no opportunity at all.

How vital was it playing for Jeff Young for your early basketball development? How did he steer you in the right direction for the NCAA?

It was very valuable to be able to play for Jeff Young, he really knows how to create a great basketball culture and win games.

You then played 3 seasons at The University of Toledo (NCAA)n averaging 11.3ppg, 4.5rpg, 1.4apg, 1.3bpg, FGP: 67.2%, 3PT: 39.1%, FT: 82.3%, 15.0ppg, 6.1rpg, 1.8apg, 1.3bpg, FGP: 60.5%, 3PT: 48.2%, FT: 82.0%
and 16.0ppg, 4.8rpg, 1.3apg, 1.2bpg, FGP: 61.9%, 3PT: 40.7%, FT: 86.7%. What memories will you always have from these 3 years?

I will always have the memories of my teammates. Made some of my best friends in college basketball and had some great times.

You had so many great games including 29 points in a 68-66 win over CMU, but also so many more like having 7 blocks against Ohio. What was your fondest moment on the court?

My fondest memory was my first year at Miami University in Ohio. I had only made a couple threes in that season at that point because I had more of a hustle role at first, but I was able to hit five threes in that Miami game and it really got me going with shooting at the division 1 level.

How did head coach Tod Kowalczyk groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

He definitely did, he is a great guy, great coach, and a pillar of the Toledo community. He is one of those coaches who is stubborn in what he wants to do but has a gifted offensive mind.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Setric Millner?

Me, you can ask him.

Who was the toughest player that you ever faced in the NCAA that reached the NBA?

Emoni Bates. He scored 30 in a half against us (we still won) and was simply unguardable with his height, confidence and shooting ability.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Ray J Dennis (Toledo), Seth Millner (Toledo), Caleb Canter (Walsh), Kade Bafford (Newark High School), and Sterling Christy (Walsh).

Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

KD, Tracy Mcgrady, Kyrie, and Steph Curry.

Who is your GOAT and why?

Steph Curry because he is the most skilled basketball player of all time.

Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn´t they have left it alone?

I never saw it but there’s no way it can do the first one justice.

Thanks JT for the chat.