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From NBA role player to Dancing with the Stars champion.
We never thought we’d see the day.
On Monday night, however, the finale of this beloved competition pitted actress Amanda Kloots… against Peleton instructor Cody Rigsby… against former Dance Moms standout JoJo Siwa… against retired professional basketball player Iman Shumpert.
Even by advancing this far, Shumpert made history.
“Sometimes underdogs bite back and that’s what you’ve done tonight,” Len Goodman said of the first NBA player to make it to the Dancing with the Stars finals early in the broadcat.
“There was no confusion in the fusion. It was really right on.”
Julianne Hough noted that since she’d been watching from home, she “never thought” of Shumpert as an underdog.
And Bruno Tonioli later referred to the talented ex-wing player as “the king of the ballroom.”
Yes, we’re giving away the game here.
Shumpert and his professional partner, Daniella Karagach, performed a Cha Cha and Foxtrot fusion dance to “September” by Earth, Wind & Fire on the finale — earning a perfect 40 out of 40 in the process.
The pair later returned with a Freestyle to a medley of “Lose Control” by Missy Elliott featuring Ciara and Fat Man Scoop and “Bounce” by DJ Client — and earned yet another 40 out of 40.
“I will go on record right now, that was my favorite freestyle I’ve ever seen in 30 seasons of Dancing With the Stars,” Julianne said before nearly crawling on the table.
As you might imagine, these scores were enough to earn Shumpert the Season 30 title.
Along with a whole lot of praise from past teammates, including possibly the greatest NBA player of all-time.
Wrote LeBron James during the finale:
Man my G @imanshumpertin his f’n [bag]!!!!!! LFG. Don’t even try to front, just respect the conglomerate!
For his part, Shumpert broke down in tears after the results were announced.
JoJo and Jenna, meanwhile, came in second place, followed by Cody and Cheryl in third and Amanda and Alan in fourth.
Shumpert’s victory comes one year after The Bachelorette alum Kaitlyn Bristowe won season 29 with partner Artem Chigvintsev in November 2020.
It was announced earlier this month that the former reality star will join the upcoming Dancing with the Stars winter tour; while Kloots and Jimmie Allen will also make appearances on select dates.
“All of the dancers told me what an incredible experience the tour is,” Bristowe said in a press release.
“I was so sad that there was no tour last season [due to COVID], so I am very excited that I’ll finally get to perform in front of an audience and connect with the fans!
“Being on Dancing with the Stars let me live out my childhood dream by being able to dance on such a big platform and I am beyond grateful for all of it.”
The tour is set to kick off on January 7 in Richmond, Virginia and wrap up on March 27 in Modesto, California.
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