LOS ANGELES — *EDITOR'S NOTE: The above video is from a previous story.
First-round draft pick, NBA champion... world-class dancer?
It's an odd combination, for sure, but Iman Shumpert has never gone the conventional route. Perhaps that's why it should come as no surprise that the former Cavaliers guard is the latest "Dancing with the Stars" champion.
Shumpert and his professional partner Daniella Karagach earned perfect scores on both their dances during Monday's live finale before edging out JoJo Siwa and Jenna Johnson in the last vote. When host Tyra Banks excitedly announced he had won the Mirrorball Trophy, a stunned Shump broke down in tears before being carried off the dance floor.
His victory captured the attention of former Cleveland Cavaliers teammate Kevin Love. He tweeted "Shump!!!!" with two trophy emojis.
Shumpert began the celebrity competition as a decided longshot, sitting near the bottom of the standings in each of the first four weeks before posting the lowest score in the fifth. However, he survived elimination and came back strong in Week 6, earning a perfect score following his and Daniella's riveting performance to the tune of "I Got 5 on it" by Kuniz.
Tonight, Daniella and Iman had to dance twice, and wowed the judges right out of the gate with a Cha Cha/Foxtrot fusion dance to Earth, Wind & Fire's "September." That routine earned a perfect 40, as did their freestyle during Missy Elliot's "Lose Control."
A beloved and key bench player on the Cavs' 2016 title team, Shumpert is the first former NBA player to win "DWTS." He joined a long list of ex-athletes to take home the Mirrorball, including Emmitt Smith, Shawn Johnson, and Hines Ward.
Though still technically active, Shump played just two games for the Brooklyn Nets last season and is currently without a team. Should no one sign him, perhaps he could make a second career of his dancing talents.