As Crown Point basketball star Dikembe Shaw weighed his college options, he was able to lean on someone close to him for advice.
The 6-foot-7 senior forward’s older sister Dash Shaw, a 2020 Crown Point graduate, finished her college basketball career last season at Nova Southeastern in Florida after four seasons at Purdue Northwest.
“She gave me the ins and outs of what a player actually needs when they’re going to college,” Dikembe Shaw said. “There were a lot of questions she told me to ask on all of the little things that I wouldn’t think about it, and she told me to make sure that I go to a place where I was wanted and that the culture fits me.”
Dash Shaw also advised him to make sure the final decision was his own.
“I told him to talk to everybody he could, to go on all the visits and weigh all of the options, but most importantly make your own decision — because you’re the one who has to go to practice and conditioning, and you’re the one who has to do the schoolwork,” she said. “So make sure it’s the right choice for you.”
Dikembe Shaw has made his choice. On Aug. 16, he announced on social media that he had committed to Illinois Chicago.
Shaw received offers from 10 Division I programs — including Evansville, Indiana State and Valparaiso — but said his conversations with the UIC coaches helped sway him toward the Windy City.
“The coaching staff showed me that they wanted me, and they gave me a vision of what they have me doing for the team,” he said.
Crown Point’s Dikembe Shaw (23) boxes out Munster’s Tyler Fuller during a nonconference game in Munster on Friday, Dec. 20, 2024. (John Smierciak / Post-Tribune)
Crown Point coach Clint Swan certainly appreciates what Shaw can do for a team. Shaw, an Indiana Junior All-Star who is ranked No. 38 among power forwards nationwide and No. 8 in the state by 247Sports, averaged 16.0 points, 6.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists for the Class 4A semistate finalist Bulldogs (24-2) last season.
“He’s multifaceted at the offensive end of the floor, but what’s really enticing about him is his ability to guard multiple positions,” Swan said. “It’s not what position you can play. It’s what position you can guard. He’s someone who’ll be able to come in and contribute right away.”
But Shaw realizes college basketball will be a much different experience for him.
“It’s knowing that everybody I’ll be going up against has been doing the same things that I’ve been doing, just facing that higher level of competition,” he said.
With his decision made, Shaw hopes that cools off the recruiting process.
“It definitely feels good, knowing that I don’t have to deal with all of the different coaches calling me anymore,” he said with a laugh.
Shaw can turn his attention to his final season with the Bulldogs, and his goals include a state championship.
“It’s my senior year, and I want to appreciate everything going on with it because it’s only going to happen once,” he said. “And the goal is to win state. I’m looking to get down to Gainbridge and to cut down those nets.”
Dave Melton is a freelance reporter.
Originally Published: August 22, 2025 at 5:39 PM CDT