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Monday, July 18, 2011 | 11 a.m.
Shabazz Fake Nike Commercial
Apparently, UNLV fan Josh Meeter is taking the 'enough screwing around' approach when it comes to doing his part to help his beloved Rebels lure in the biggest hoops recruit in the city's history.
Meeter, who by trade is an art director, created a 30-second fake Nike commercial set to a T.I. track, portraying Shabazz Muhammad waving his arms to a crowd while wearing a No. 15 UNLV jersey. It's a spinoff from the Jordan Brand's 'Become Legendary' campaign, using that slogan early, followed by 'Become a Runnin' Rebel,' and then a little wrinkle with Muhammad's name at the end following the Nike 'Just Do It' branding.
Muhammad, a 6-foot-6 wing from Bishop Gorman, was recently bumped up to the prestigious No. 1 spot in the Rivals.com Top 150 rankings for the 2012 senior class. So far in the crucial July evaluating period for college coaches, Muhammad's done nothing but solidify that standing. In his first July game at the adidas Invitational in Indianapolis two weeks back, he scored 42 points.
Every major program in the country, obviously, is after him. UNLV will be competing with the likes of Kentucky, Duke, UCLA, Louisville, Arizona, Memphis, Kansas and many more for his services. While Muhammad and his father, Ron Holmes, have not given up much information so far during his recruitment, they've both long hinted that UNLV will be in the fight until the end. Right now, that's about the most that the UNLV faithful, such as Meeter, can hope for.
In this recruitment, it will be the little things that matter, it appears. UNLV got a nice little bonus on Sunday night, when Muhammad tweeted that he'd be spending the next few days in California with longtime family friend Bryce Jones, who this summer transferred from USC to UNLV. When he returns, fans can get a closer look at the always improving Muhammad and his loaded Dream Vision squad at the adidas Super 64 in Friday and Saturday's pool play at Rancho High.
Those games will be Friday at 10:20 a.m. vs. the Atlanta Celtics in the Rancho main gym, Friday at 5 p.m. vs. Indiana Elite in the Rancho auxiliary gym and Saturday at 1 p.m. vs. Double Pump Elite in the Rancho north gym. Click here for more info on the Super 64.
Ryan, did you see the thing on Twitter about the "Spamming" of Facebook and the UNLVluvsShabazz twitter account are recruiting violations? He can't be serious?
I like the video, dont get me wrong would love to see shabazz here. I dont thinks its a violation as long as it wasnt UNLV sanctioned or Played at every game shabazz plays in this year. I do think fans need to be careful especially becasue he is a local that they dont unitentionally violate rules, like pick up tabs at restaurants for his family or do things that would constitute a violation. We also dont want to seem desperate to him... because really we'd like him but there are others out there that could fill his role potentially at UNLV. Is he a game changer, absolutely, is it the end all be all of UNLV if he doesnt come, no. We'd welcome him with open arms to become a legend here.
Wow Rice hasnt even coached a game yet and we're already breaking 45 NCAA recruiting rules...
These kids are KIDS, but they're smart enough to recognize desperation and CREEPYNESS when they see it. Jeez LOUISE, relax, it's all fine to recruit the kid, but making twitter accounts like @UNLVloveShabazz, and using his REAL NAME as the account name is downright creepy and WRONG.
If I was his father, I'd say, you know what, let's go somewhere that isn't going to drool over your every move. Somewhere you can EARN your respect.
Greene knows it, this kid's a Kentucky Wildcat anyway.
I give him one season before he goes to the NBA, so maybe Kentucky is a better fit for him.
I don't think it's creepy at all. Creepy is trying to get his gym shorts or something after a practice. I think these fans are passionate and dedicated.
We love our Runnin' Rebels and our fans are committed to shwoing recruits that no one is going to love you like your home town. Shabazz would be a HERO if he stayed home to play for UNLV and the kid would become a LEGEND if he led us back to a National Championship.
Kentucky, Duke, Kansas... those schools, more often than not, have plenty of talent to make a run come tournament time. Where's the challenge in that? Shabazz could really show he is desrving of that number one ranking and bring a team that's been lurking on the outskirts and thrust it into greatness.
And before anyone goes on about the exposure he'd get at one of the bigger conferences influencing his decisions, take a look at The Jimmer and Kawahi. One was national player of the year, has a wikipedia page longer than many professional players, and both got drafted in the top 20. Their talent wasn't lost on NBA team scouts because they played in the MWC.
Hats off to the youngman for his creativity but at the end of the day this isn't going to mean a hill of beans when it comes to playing a factor in Shabazz's decision. Things like playing with qualilty teammates, national television exposure and utlimately the opportunity which provides the best chance at becoming a high NBA draft choice will be the real determining factors.
Actually major colleges and university's have been doing similiar things like this for years. A really good one was in the late 80's when Jim Valvano was coaching NC State. At their basketball offices they had a room called something like "The Room of Dreams".
It was a theater like setting with a big screen on the wall with a video depiction of an end of game situation where NC State had the ball with a chance to win. The video made it feel like Valvano was speaking directly to the kid, including asking whether or not he was ready to take the last shot. Then the video would cut to someone who looked similiar to the recruit making the game winning basket and everyone storming the court.
Funny, I see Kentucky fans tweeting the guy like crazy and no one writing an article about it. UCLA, Kansas, Kentucky, North Carolina, Arizona fans have all tweeted this kid. The NCAA is a joke. It is really sad that a kid lives in your hometown and you have to avoid him like the plague for fear of recruiting violations. Like fans would have any influence at all. Boosters and coaches are another story, but the fans should be able to do and say what they want. What happened to the 1st amendment?
Fans are not a part of the NCAA and without fans and supporters the NCAA wouldn't exist. It is a dilemma even the NCAA can't figure out because technology surpasses their small minds. It is understandable to keep coaches and boosters away from harrasing and/or providing incentives for recruits, but cheering & suppressing fan support, who does that benefit?