City-Suburban Showdown always a good show

Promoter Bob Rylko (left), Ronald McDonald, Oak Park 's Iman Shumpert, Waukegan's Jereme Richmond and East Chicago 's Angel Garcia pose for a picture during the City-Suburban Showdown press conference on Wednesday.
(Scott Powers/For the Sun-Times)

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Last year’s City-Suburban Showdown was a trash-talking war between Simeon’s Derrick Rose and St. Joseph’s Evan Turner. The two stars battled for 32 minutes, mouthing off to one another the whole way, and then ripped each other in post-game comments to the media.

It was pretty entertaining.

Oak Park senior Iman Shumpert doesn’t see the same thing happening on Saturday at Northwestern’s Welsh-Ryan Arena when the Huskies take on Waukegan and star Jereme Richmond.

“That’s pretty doubtful,” Shumpert said. “Richmond is a great player, so I’m sure it will be intense. But I don’t think we will be doing that kind of talking.”

Shumpert has more important business to take care of.

Heading into the season, he was considered one of the top candidates for player of the year honors. Things haven’t gone as planned. Shumpert has had a fine season, but he’s been flying under the radar, while the headlines and player of the year chatter are focused around Farragut big man Michael Dunigan and Homewood-Flossmoor guard Kevin Dillard.

Shumpert could change all of that with a dominating performance at the City-Suburban Showdown, one of the biggest showcase events of the season.

“I can’t get involved with all that talk,” Shumpert said. “If you pay attention to that stuff in the papers or on the internet it can affect your game.”

During Wednesday’s press conference at Harry Caray’s Restaurant, Richmond acknowledged the rough season he’s had so far.

“We started out slow because of some behavior issues [Richmond was suspended for fighting and missed the Bulldogs’ first three games],” Richmond said. “Throughout the course of the season every team has ups and downs. I think we’re really starting to come together.”

According to event promoter Bob Rylko, 27 players in the 13-year history of the City-Suburban Showdown have gone on to play in the NBA, a subject that is clearly on Richmond’s mind.

During the press conference, the 6-6 sophomore repeatedly referred to his “one-year” at Illinois -- which is probably interesting news for Illini coach Bruce Weber.

The second game of the showdown features New Trier and East Chicago, Ind., the latest destination for Memphis signee Angel Garcia, who previously played at Lake Forest Academy and Boys To Men.