Las Vegas Sun

March 18, 2024

prep recruiting:

Gorman’s Shabazz Muhammad shines with UNC coach Williams in attendance

Bishop Gorman Workout

Steve Marcus

Bishop Gorman junior Shabazz Muhammad runs through a drill during an open workout at Bishop Gorman High School Thursday, Sept. 9, 2010. The first day of the fall college basketball recruiting season was Thursday and many college coaches attended to evaluate the talent.

Top basketball recruit Shabazz Muhammad

Bishop Gorman forward Shabazz Muhammad finds an open player as Palo Verde forward Moses Morgan blocks during the boys Sunset Regional championship game at Palo Verde High School on Friday, Feb. 20, 2009. Launch slideshow »

Shabazz Muhammad

Shabazz Muhammad of Bishop Gorman High, one of the nation's top recruits for the class of 2012, sits down with the Las Vegas Sun to talk about everything from basketball to what type of music is on his ipod. He averaged 19 points and 10 rebounds per game last year and highlights the Sun's Super Seven pre-season team.

North Carolina basketball coach Roy Williams was treated to a show.

Bishop Gorman High junior shooting guard Shabazz Muhammad poured in 28 points Monday night, leading the Gaels to an 86-56 victory against host Desert Oasis and putting on an offensive explosion with Williams sitting courtside at the southwest Las Vegas school.

The 6-foot-5 Muhammad, who Rivals.com lists as the No. 3 overall prospect for the class of 2012, didn't flinch with having someone of Williams' status in the gym.

After all, he has caught the eye of several of the nation's top coaches, receiving more than 20 scholarship offers. Gorman has three juniors who are being heavily recruited, with appearances from the likes of Williams becoming a common occurrence.

Assistant coaches from Arizona, Kentucky and UCLA also were in attendance.

"We get a lot of coaches at our games. But when it is someone such as coach Williams, one of the top coaches in the country, the players take notice," Gorman coach Grant Rice said. "The good and the bad of basketball is that everything is so close to the court."

Later Monday night, Muhammad posted on his Twitter account, "Just had another game 28 pts 8 rebs and a great team win we are getting better and better every game."

He followed with: "The game was good coach Williams from North Carolina was there and Arizona, Kentucky and UCLA."

Muhammad took an unofficial recruiting trip to North Carolina two weekends ago for the Tar Heels' game against Kentucky, creating a buzz on several Internet fan sites about where he eventually will commit. Muhammad, however, is 11 months away from being able to sign a letter of intent, meaning visits from Williams and others are sure to continue.

That's a good thing for Gorman's opponents.

Rice said it's common for coaches to come to a game looking to recruit one player, then find another athlete they are also interested in or refer that athlete to one of their coaching friends.

"There is always a chance another kid will be seen," Rice said. "I have known a lot of coaches who have come to see one of our players, or one of the players we've played against, and ended liking another kid, too."

Rosco Allen, Gorman's junior forward who also has multiple scholarship offers, added 22 points.

Student correspondent Jazz Curley contributed to this story

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