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Nam Y. Huh / AP Photo
West’s Shabazz Muhammad (15), a Bishop Gorman senior, dunks during the second half of the McDonald’s All-American boys’ basketball game against the East squad Wednesday, March 28, 2012, in Chicago. The West won 106-102 with Muhammad leading all scorers with 21 points.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012 | 9:26 p.m.
Bishop Gorman player not sure on UNLV
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KSNV coverage of Bishop Gorman's basketball player Shabazz Muhammad is still deciding among top colleges, March 27, 2012.
Local students play in national basketball game
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KSNV coverage of local high school basketball players competing in the national McDonald's All American game, March 28, 2012.
Shabazz Muhammad wins McDonald's dunk title
UNLV is out of the race to sign hometown basketball star Shabazz Muhammad of Bishop Gorman High.
ESPN recruiting expert Dave Telep reported Wednesday during the telecast of the McDonald’s All-American game in Chicago that the 6-foot-6 Muhammad, the nation’s No. 1 overall recruiting prospect, has trimmed his list of schools to three — Duke, Kentucky and UCLA.
In Telep’s blog, which is part of the ESPN Insider package, Muhammad hints he is closer to a decision. “I’m considering five but there are three that [stand out],” Muhammad told Telep.
While there has been much speculation over the last year about Muhammad’s recruitment, this is the first time UNLV has been left off the standout’s list. Just last week, he told the Sun that UNLV was still very much in consideration and he’d make an official decision April 11.
“Coach (Dave) Rice is a great guy, and he’s bringing in a lot of good players,” Muhammad told the Sun. “I’m looking at them hard.”
A week later, however, Telep — a respected reporter from a credible newsgathering organization — informs us otherwise. Muhammad, the two-time Nevada Gatorade Player of the Year and Naismith National Player of the Year, has taken the Rebels off his list.
Earlier, Telep wrote: “UNLV, the school coached by the brother of his high school coach, and Kansas are part of the second tier of programs, if you will, on his list. At this point, following a sit-down interview with the player who has been the star of the first two days of McDonald’s practice, it appears likely he’ll pick between the Bruins, Wildcats and Blue Devils.
“Muhammad understands that the Blue Devils are all in regarding him and have been all year. His affinity for coach Mike Krzyzewski is apparent. Kentucky has emphasized, and rightfully so, its open door from Lexington to the NBA when it comes to elite players. Regarding UCLA, Muhammad freely admits that part of his game that needs altering is defense, and he’s certain Ben Howland would be the guy to address that area.”
All eyes were on Muhammad during Wednesday’s telecast — there was a feature about him during halftime, the announcers spent a majority of the night praising his talents and speculating about his decision, and he drew comparisons to the McDonald’s game’s famous alumni such as Kobe and LeBron.
Everyone wants to get a piece of Muhammad, and ESPN gave us a healthy dosage. On the high school sports landing page on ESPN.com, three stories are about Muhammad.
"Oh man, it's stressful," Muhammad said in a lengthy profile by ESPN’s Jason Jordan. "Just to be on the phone with Coach [Mike] Krzyzewski and listening to him really open up about how bad he needs me, then talk to Coach Cal and Coach [Ben] Howland and Coach [Bill] Self — iIt weighs on you. It's not as glamorous as it sounds because I'm saying no to great options. That's rough."
When the news quickly started spreading on Twitter, UNLV supporters — the same fans who praised Muhammad endlessly over the last year in attempting to lure him to stay in Las Vegas — immediately responded negatively.
The Twitter handle @LVlovesShabazz posted: “It is official. Shabazz has cut down his list to Kentucky, UCLA and Duke. I will deactivate this account tomorrow. Follow @LVlovesABennet.”
The new account is in support of another McDonald’s All-American being courted by UNLV: Findlay Prep post player Anthony Bennett. Bennett is considering UNLV, Florida, Kentucky, Washington and Oregon.
There was also a game on Wednesday. And, like most of his career, Muhammad was unstoppable.
He was named the game’s Most Valuable Player, scoring 21 points to lead the West to a 106-102 victory. In the first half, he had 15 points on 7-of-12 shooting (four of the seven field goals were on dunks) with five rebounds.
"When you come to any event you want to be known as the best player," Muhammad told the Chicago Tribune. "At the beginning of the game I was really getting up and down the floor and things went great for me."
His great performances weren’t limited to the game. Monday, he won the event’s dunk contest with a pair of perfect scores in the final round — the final dunk was the top play on SportsCenter. He also dominated during the practices leading up to Wednesday’s game, according to reports.
Those performances won't continue next year in Southern Nevada — something we finally learned Wednesday after months of speculation.
Ray Brewer can be reached at 990-2662 or ray.brewer@lasvegassun.com. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21.
Maybe this can end all the hype of local kids coming to UNLV. In most cases, it is better for the young man to leave home and get away to figure things out on their own. I've never been a big fan of all the local pressure for these local kids to sign with UNLV. In fact, every 18,19 year old kid should get the hell out and live a little away from home! It promotes maturity,organization,self-reliance and some responsibility.
If he goes to KY, they will probably repeat even if 2 of their freshmen are one and done. If he goes to Duke, he can help them make the final 4. Either way, he is probably a 1-2 yr college player at best. I wish his the best of luck even though I'm a Rebel fan. Would love to see UNLV get Bennett and go to the sweet 16 next year and face KY or Duke (wherever he goes) and have the Rebels known him out of his chance of a national championship ring.
At least this ends the fake charade of him coming to UNLV. Keeping UNLV in the discussion seemed (to me, at least) to be just loyalty to BG's Coach Rice. I don't think anyone anywhere REALLY thought he was considering coming to UNLV. Not that that's a bad thing. The kid's talent ceiling is higher than any player the Rebs have had in the last few decades. Enjoy playing in Kentucky for a year, Shabazz. Us locals will be rooting for you in the NBA in 2014.
"Just to be on the phone with Coach [Mike] Krzyzewski and listening to him really open up about how bad he needs me, then talk to Coach Cal and Coach [Ben] Howland and Coach [Bill] Self -- iIt weighs on you. It's not as glamorous as it sounds because I'm saying no to great options. That's rough."
....and it's back to status quo on the recruiting front....notice how Rice wasn't on that list of coaches that "weighs" on him? Because he's got no clout...whatever.
well, the kid went to BG. why would his thought process be any different in going to the next level?
some players want to prove their mettle as the best player for a smaller school--both in (public) high school and for a mid-major in college (ie UNLV). some players want to go where the resources make it easier for them to step quickly into the next level. shabazz chose the latter in high school and will be choosing the latter in college. (my understanding is that since he is a NV resident, he couldn't play at the TRUE best team in the State in Findley Prep, so BG is the much distant second pony in the LV HS hoops scene).
so of course he is going to end up at a place like Kentucky that has sent tons of kids into the NBA lottery lately.
if he chose to beat up on lesser competition at BG (aside from Findley Prep, of course), of course he will want to do the same at the college--certain players are made to go to the bigger fish in the sea, both in HS and in college. thats no negative indication on rice, and there is nothing rice can do to change that or recruit around that. UNLV is basically like a LV public school trying to compete with the BGs and Findley Preps of the college world.
thats just a kid and his family being consistent in achieving their goal of being an NBA lottery pick. good luck to him and i hope we watch him get drafted #1 in a year.
"In fact, every 18,19 year old kid should get the hell out and live a little away from home! It promotes maturity,organization,self-reliance and some responsibility"
And yet, the vast majority of self-made millionaires live in the town in which they were raised (and often born).
I'm not as diplomatic it's not quite Lebronish but no one likes to get strung along.
This town is full headliners he would have been a great ambassador for the school and the town. Sooner or later someone will take the torch.
Thankful for Anthony Marshall.
Absolutely disagree. Full on Lebroned. Why cause he used us as a fan base to create buzz, us the facilities and watch real practices, etc. all things designed to further your game and self. All he had to do is dangle a carrot on a stick. And I don't want to rip a minor here for not making good choice ( when it come to handling a situation) it was his puppet master father who pulled all the strings. He is a great player who unlv could have used but we are a program well respected as a top 10 tradition school. We don't need any favors by just the near mentions anymore. I also understand that you don't tend to get everybody without paying players ( right caliparie) so I'm not mad there but like LeBron, he officially made it clear on tv to get more exposure, he dangled it on a string to fill an agenda, and when you have an entire city recruiting you( not just a coach) and you embrace that then you kind of need to tell that group first why or why not you choose them. Is that law, No. But is that a high moral standard, yes. So if you don't mind being a villon, that's fine. It's working for leBron and his no rings too.
One thing is for certain, if he ends up at UCLA, they and addidas bought him through their big contract with his 386th ranked sister who has a big contract thru Addidas. UCLA is a program that is in shambles w most all their talent leaving over the last 3yrs (stanback, moser, the star fr N Mex. and their top player this year I believe name is Nelson transferring out). Also, the story in SI recently that was very damaging to their program. I can't imagine any father of a top player allowing his son to go to a program w so many issues. Unless, like I said earlier, he was already bought and paid for by Addidas (UCLA is an Addidas sponsored school) considering the sister's big contract.
Coach K sounds desperate as Duke is beginning to slip from the top tier teams quickly and losing his top 3 players from an already overrated and fading team.
So my bet would be Kentucky unless the Addidas deal is as it seems to appear, then UCLA has been the lock since day 1 and we were all just taken for a ride.
Either way I still do wish the kid the best. Who's to say if he were our son we would do any differently. Good luck Shabazz you've earned it your place. You still represent Vegas and I like I believe most will be rooting for you all the way to the NBA.
Can't really blame the kid. I never thought UNLV was ever really in the running for him in the first place, despite being on his top 5 list. Coach Rice has no cred yet. If he came to UNLV he would get no national exposure. He'd be stuck in a crubmling, second rate conference where his games are telivised on second tier sports networks. The only time UNLV gets face time on ESPN or real CBS TV is when they play the marquee teams from bigger conferences. The UNLV/NM game was supposed to be televised nationally this year just like the BYU/San Deigo St game last year. But instead CBS decided to just run it regionally because of lack of interest. Plus if he goes to Kentucky or Duke he'll have a better chance to make a run at the final four every year and go pro. He comes to UNLV he will likely be out in the first round just like every year. Pretty can't convince any of the local talent to stay here and play.
Alhtough if Shabazz goes to UCLA there is a good chance he may transfer back to UNLV in a year or so. The way Ben Howland is running things down there in LA may be a good sign for us or another MWC team looking for his service. Howland is running a sinking ship and can't keep any of his talent. Although, Muhammad is a one and done and would probably just bolt for the NBA instead of transfering to UNLV.
Hey James, How did you even come up with that? And, I didn't say they should leave and never come back!! Also, I wasn't even referring to millionaires. I was referring to character! Wait, how did I get on this?
Best player in the country... would and of us stay here? No! Go check-out the world Shabazz and all that the best programs have to offer! Make us proud!
Las Vegas and Nevada are rootin' for ya!
I see the REGGIE BUSH thing all over this. Allegations have already came out about his step dad Mr. Holmes and Adidas. His crew seems very corrupt and the NCAA has already released an open investigation into his traveling-Adidas scandal.
I feel "Lebroned" as well.. UNLV was kept on his short list for PR reason, not legitimate interest. I also agree with Lobo69 that something is not on the up and up.. Adidas can write some big checks. Bennett was always a better fit for us anyways.
this kid looks like the real deal. sign at unlv? hahahahaha. he should go to a real school.
Would be nice to see those that were so cool to the kid (via Twitter, Facebook, etc.) when he was considering UNLV remain so after he makes his decision. Take the good news with the bad news.
At the end of the day, this is a kid making a decision and everyone should wish him the best (until the Rebs face him in the tourney next year).
What about his coach's brother paying for the trips? This kid is a great player and has helped bring some attention to high school hoops in the city. However, attention has also been brought to Gorman; with a lot of allegations of illegal recruiting taking place there, not only in basketball, but in football and baseball also, it's tough not to wonder if there's now some validity to those claims. Anyhow, I wish Shabazz all the success in the future because he is a great player.
Boy Daniel, that is a real positive post!! You must be fun to be around!
Mr.Jackson, why do you post the same thing over and over? You seem to be a little insecure. Where did you graduate from? What direction do you think UNLV should go in? Do you live in Vegas? If your not a UNLV fan, why do read so many articles about UNLV? I'm just curious about your obvious negativity of the school. I realize that it's not Harvard or Stanford but there are a lot of good kids that chose to go there, shouldn't they have some pride in their school?
This isnt shocking or even hurtful because we've gone over this a hundred times here. Kudos are due to Coach Rice & staff for even keeping us in the running this long. Take a look at who else Shabazz was considering in his top 5 and ask yourself how does UNLV compare against them? Tradition? Check. Facilities? Check. Coaching staff? Check. Style of Play? Check. Fan support? Check. Exposure? BLANK!! Exposure will continue to be our achilles heel in recruiting ELITE HS players...hence our reliance on transfers. Top tier kids nowadays have their HS games on ESPN...no chance they're gonna downgrade to the MTN. Its laughable. If we dont build the stadium & merge into a power conf with a quality TV deal...we will always be at a disadvantage recruiting both major sports. This is the world we live in now & we better do something or we will continue to get the majors hand me downs & disgruntled.
@djonian81 - You're kidding right?! UNLV compares equally to Duke, Kentucky, and UCLA with Tradition, Facilities, Coaching Staff, and Fan Support?!!! That's got to be the funniest post I've read in a long time....
I'm an Alumnus and fan of UNLV, but this is the kind of stuff homers hang on to and make me laugh....we're nowhere near close to being on par with those programs in those categories. LMAO
@Sinatra....yeah, your stellar UNLV education is obvious. I never said we were equal or better than those programs...you did...I only stated the obvious in that UNLV still has a brand name & does in fact still possess every trait I mentioned. If the program did not, regardless of scale...we'd never be in the hunt for Shabazz or Bennett in the first place...nor would have ever landed high profile transfers like Stanback, Moser, Birch, and Jones. I hope it is possible for you to atleast be able to connect those dots.
I am sorry, but not surprised, that the concept of scale confuses you. Hence my pt that we need to build the stadium to get to their levels across the board & especially in exposure...so we dont have to be 2nd tier & rely on transfers. I did not think it necessary to qualify that statement with the obvious or use flash cards for most people to grasp my conclusion... thinking nobody would be ignorant enough to think or suggest I was stating we enjoyed total parity in all facets with those programs today. Alas, on your simple behalf, I stand corrected.