Glasgow basketball phenom Jordan Fuemmeler inked his commitment to play basketball at Central Methodist University next season.

A three-time all-conference and all-district player, Fuemmeler was named the Central Activities Conference’s Most Valuable Player this season, after averaging 29.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, four assists and three steals per game. He surpassed 2,000 career points early in his senior season. The All-Stater played his first two years in Higbee before transferring to Glasgow and finished with a career total of 2,569 points scored over four seasons.

Fuemmeler said he considered skipping college and going straight into the work force, but the love of the game compelled him to answer the call to play at the next level. 

“I love it so much and to have that opportunity to keep playing is just amazing,” he said. “It’s a dream come true to be able to have the opportunity to play basketball for four more years.”

While he certainly had several schools from which to choose, Fuemmeler said Central was the best fit.

“It was a hard decision because there were a lot of places I was looking at,” he said. “And Central, whenever I went and visited there, it really stood out to me. It’s close to home and the coaches were amazing and I love the campus feel.”

Likewise, CMU coach Matt Sherman, a former Fayette High School and Central Methodist standout player, counts himself lucky to land one of the premier Class 2 players in the state.

“Jordan is a hell of a ball player,” Sherman said. “His scoring has been well documented. I think he does a lot of other good things on the floor. He’s a very underrated passer. If you watch him more, I think you understand that he knows how to play the game.”

And while his All-State numbers are well chronicled, Glasgow coach Mick Cropp credits Fuemmeler’s seemingly tireless work ethic for his success on the hardwood, and his opportunity to play at the college level.

“He’s got the work ethic, and he’s got the drive and the determination, and he obviously has the ability and skills,” Cropp said. “So, it’s just a matter of getting in there and getting to work and trying to see where he fits in with their team and what he’s able to do. And on the college level, it’s a different deal. It’s a job. You’ve got to really love it, and he’s always loved the game, so I’m excited for him.

“You can look at the scoring, and you can look at the passing, and you can look at the defense that he’s played. But the thing that I think has left his legacy so much here is what you see day to day in practice,” said Cropp. “He never takes a rep off. Never. It is 100%. It doesn’t matter if it’s shooting, defense, individual defense, team defense, transition drill, transition defense. It is 100% all the time. And I know for a fact there are kids that came into the last year or two that didn’t practice like he does, that now they practice like he does. And for him to leave that here behind is a great testament to his work ethic and his desire and determination.”

When Fuemmeler steps foot in Puckett Field House next fall, he will be vying for a guard position. And with his defensive and ball handling skills, Sherman said he can play just about any position on the court.

“I think the willingness to want to play defense is a big key and that’s something you don’t see with everybody,” Sherman said. “If you are on the smaller side, you’ve got to be even nastier and hard-nosed than everybody else. Him wanting to guard the best player on the team in high school will help him even more because he’s a competitor, number one. And that’s the probably his biggest attribute is that he’s a competitor and that translates. And that’s you can’t ask for much more than that.”

Sherman just wrapped up his second year as the Eagles’ head coach. In two years, he has amassed 36 wins against 22 losses. The Eagles closed out their most recent season 19-10 overall and 15-9 in the Heart. And while college game is getting older with schools often recruiting from junior colleges, it’s a tip of the cap from CMU to recruit from its own back yard. A day before Fuemmeler signed his commitment, Sherman was in Harrisburg recruiting 6’7 senior Wyatt Lind (see story this page).

Sherman said he wants to recruit local talent. And while several players hail from Boonville, Sedalia, and Jefferson City, the Eagles are starting to draw from high schools with a 15-mile radius.

“This year with the class that we’re getting, we’ve gotten lucky with a few,” Sherman said. “There are not always seniors locally that are up to that standard. This year, we were lucky enough to get a couple. We’re excited about that and hopefully it does bring a little more attention here, at least in the Howard County area, to get some people at the games.”

When not on the basketball court, Fuemmeler said he plans to focus his academics toward the field of the agriculture business.

“I just want to thank my family, thank the coaches, and thank everybody who supported me along this journey,” he said.