Shungu Staying Home
The top player in the state of Vermont isn't going too far next year.
In fact, Ben Shungu isn't even going to a new city.
The Rice Memorial star made a verbal commitment to the University of Vermont earlier this week, keeping him in Burlington for the next four years, where he is initially expected to join the program as a red-shirt walk-on before earning a scholarship down the road.
Shungu has had nothing short of a storied high school career, winning a state championship in each of his first three seasons, already scoring his 1000th point and averaging 18 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 2+ steals per game last year as a junior en route to being named Mr. Basketball by the Burlington Free Press and the Gatorade Player of the Year in the state of Vermont.
He's been equally impressive on the AAU circuit, playing a leading role with the Lone Wolf Athletics program and continuing to stand out as the top player in the state.
Shungu's decision was first reported by ABC 22/Local 44 and on Tuesday he spoke with the Burlington Free Press:
"Just talking with my family, the supporting cast I have behind me, going through that made me want to commit," Shungu said Tuesday night. "Also, to play for my home crowd, I've been in Vermont pretty much my whole life - playing in front of the community I've grown up with was a big draw."
Below are some of Shungu's recent highlights.
Ben Shungu