LAKE CHARLES — McNeese sophomore forward Christian Shumate is the lone Cowboy to earn All-Southland Conference Preseason Honors.
Shumate has been selected to the 2022-23 Men’s Basketball Preseason All-SLC First Team. He is McNeese’s top returning scorer after he averaged 12.2 points per game during the 2021-22 season, which also ranked Schumate 11th in the SLC.
“Christian had a really good year last year and had some great moments throughout the year yet was still only a freshman,” said McNeese second-year coach John Aiken. “He was able to navigate some rough waters early in the year and was able to get better and better as the year went on.
“This offseason, he’s elevated to another level,” Aiken added. “His potential is off the charts and we hope it translates to the court. We stat every practice and he’s shooting about 44 percent from the three. He’s second on the team from the three so he’s established that part of his game.”
McNese was also picked to finish fifth in the preseason poll voted on by head coaches and sports information directors.
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, the league’s preseason favorite, had three players named to the first team to join Shumate – guards Terrion Murdix and Trevian Tennyson along with forward Isaac Mushila while Nicholls guard Latrell Jones rounded out the first team selections.
McNeese will begin the season on Monday when they host Champion Christian in the Legacy Center. Tip is set for 7 p.m.
The McNeese women’s team had two players earn preseason honors.
Kaili Chamberlin, the reigning SLC “Freshman of the Year,” received first-team honors while senior Desirae Hansen picked up second-team honors.
Chamberlin led the team in scoring (11.0 ppg.) and free throw percent (89.8) and was second on the team with 51 three-pointers.
Hansen meanwhile led the Cowgirls and SLC with 2.4 three-pointers per game and a 37.6 three-point field goal percent.
The McNeese women’s basketball team was picked to finish sixth in the 2022-23 Southland Conference Preseason Poll. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi was picked to finish first while the reigning regular season champions, Houston Christian, were picked second.
The McNeese women open up the season Monday at home against Ecclesia College. Tip is set for 11 a.m.