Iman Shumpert, who once referred to himself as the underdog on Dancing With the Stars, emerged as the winner of the reality ballroom dance competition.

Shumpert also made history as the first former NBA player to win the Mirror Ball Trophy. 

"I'm a very competitive person, I want the mirror ball. I'm a champion, man. That's what I do," he said during one of the video vignettes broadcasted during the show. 

For the finale, Shumpert and his dance partner Daniella Karagach performed the cha-cha/fox trot fusion to Earth, Wind & Fire's "September."

Instantly impressed with his skills, Teyana Taylor tweeted "omgggggg!!!! YESSSSSSSSSSSSSS!" USA Today reports. 

Shumpert came a long way in the competition, first performing with dance partner Karagach to OutKast's "Hey Ya!" Most of the judges were captivated with his footwork, but Len Goodman said the routine "was all too casual, it was too loose, the technique was poor."

However, as the dance tournament progressed, Shumpert steadily improved. He enhanced his fluid connection with his dance partner and their height difference only accentuated their choreography.

The athlete also performed an upbeat freestyle dance to "Lose Control" by Missy Elliott, leaving the judges astonished. Goodman, who once was so critical of Shumpert, was compelled to say, "You call yourself an underdog, sometimes underdogs bite back."

But it was his jazz routine with Karagach to "Dark Fantasy" by Kanye West that showcased Shumpert as a possible winner, with the judges giving him a score of 38 out of 40, ESPN reports.

Dancing with the StarsDaniella-Kragachiman shumpertTyra-Banks