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Saturday, May 26, 2012 | 2:05 a.m.
Shabazz Muhammad picks UCLA
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KSNV coverage of Bishop Gorman high school basketball player Shabazz Muhammad picking UCLA over Kentucky and Duke, April 11, 2012.
When Shabazz Muhammad walked off the court in February following his final game for the Bishop Gorman High basketball team, the 6-foot-6 wing was noticeably missing an important part of his uniform: his shoes.
After Muhammad scored 36 points (30 in the first half) on 15-of-17 shooting to lead Gorman to the championship, the scene resembled most of his games the past year, with fans jockeying for pictures and autographs of the player expected to be the next Kobe or LeBron. Muhammad typically fielded every request — genuinely smiling for photos (I would, too, for the opposing team’s cheerleaders) and taking the time to make sure everyone had his signature.
On Sunday, readers will pick up Parade Magazine inserted into their newspaper and read what makes Muhammad the nation’s best high school basketball player. They’ll learn of an unmatched competitive nature and strong desire to be the best that started as a child, giving him the foundation to average 30 points and 10 rebounds per game this winter while playing against opponents trying to make a name for themselves.
Muhammad, the nation’s consensus No. 1 recruiting prospect who signed in April with UCLA, won virtually every major award this winter, including being Parade’s 56th annual All-America Basketball Player of the Year. He also was the MVP of the McDonald’s All-America Game and Jordan Brand Classic, was the ESPN and Morgan Wootten Player of the Year award winner, and scored an event-record 35 points in the Nike Hoop Summit.
While all of those accomplishments are impressive, and show he’s got the ability to become one of the all-time greats, they barely scratch the surface on what makes him the total package. That’s something witnessed during the postgame madness after the championship game at the Lawlor Events Center on the UNR campus.
Muhammad, without being instructed by his handlers, took off his game shoes, autographed them and gave them to a youngster in the crowd. While most of the autograph hounds got Muhammad’s signature on their game tickets, Fernando Rodarte, 13, had his signed all-white Air Jordans.
“They are going to be worth something one day,” Fernando told me that night. Muhammad’s autograph on a basketball already sells on eBay for $149.
Basketball fans surely know of Muhammad’s talent on the court. The lefty has a smooth shooting stroke from the outside, is fearless in taking the ball to the basket and is an excellent finisher (he also won the slam dunk contest at the McDonald’s game). However, what many fail to realize is the quality person he is off the court.
He has the respect of his teammates and friends, not only because of what he’s accomplished on the hardwood, but also because of how he’s just like them — a teenager with similar struggles and dreams of doing great things.
Imagine constantly being in the public eye and knowing every move you make is being documented or could wind up on the Internet. Imagine your cellphone constantly ringing with calls from coaches and media trying to find out your college plans.
For some, it would a terrible cross to bear.
That just wasn’t the case with Muhammad. He treated everyone the same, carried himself with a maturity and dignity not common for a teenager, and was more concerned with enjoying the moments of his senior year than being the face of high school basketball.
It would have been easy for Muhammad to walk around with an arrogant attitude, knowing the greener pastures ahead in his life were literally months away from becoming a reality. He didn’t fall into that trap.
And that’s why Shabazz Muhammad is that rare player we’ll probably never see again in Southern Nevada. He’s truly a superstar in the making.
Ray Brewer can be reached at 990-2662 or ray.brewer@lasvegassun.com. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21.
Get off this guys jock. He had no intention of ever signing with UNLV. That is his right to go where he wants to go, but please stop wasting space in your/our paper writing about someone that doesn't give a crap about the town that helped make him what he is today. Take your ball and probably NCAA investigation to Pauley Pavilion.
Did you read the article Titanfan4life702? Why the bitterness toward a young man who worked hard to achieve his goals? Anyone who has ever had the pleasure of meeting Shabazz would agree with Ray Brewer's opinions.
Good luck Shabazz. Most of us are rooting for you and your continued success.
Who cares. Shabazz is yesterday's news. He is the Lebron James of Las Vegas. On a talent level but also by stringing UNLV fans along when he really had no intention to ever play for the Rebels. Vegas was hoping he'd be the home town hero like Lebron was to Cleveland but just like Lebron Shabazz decided to TAKE HIS TALENTS elsewhere. Good riddance. Thank you Anthony Bennet.
Shabazz took the best possible road for him.
This isn't about UNLV or the fans of Las Vegas.
As a fan of UNLV I am happy for him, I am happy that he decided to get out of vegas, he can help UCLA out more than he could have ever done at UNLV.
Looking at UNLV vs UCLA he would have spent some time on the bench, and also this man is out for an education unlike some of the players who sign with UCONN or Ohio State.
We have talent, we have the #7 recruit in the nation and the fans who do attack him for signing w/ UCLA are ungrateful for the services he did at Gorman.
UCLA is a 5 star academic program, and UNLV is between 2-3 star Education.
Thomas, come on. Don't say stupid things like he is going for the education. That would mean he would have to stay for more than one year and that not going to happen. Also, UNLV doesn't compare to UCLA academically, but its way better than your giving it credit for. Saying that he took the best possible road for him is also stupid. Unlv has more potential (especially with his commitment to this stacked team), Kentucky has a hire draft stock and pipeline, Duke has a NBA/USA basketball coach with every connection, and all of those schools (including UNLV)have a hire winning percentage and more devoted fan base than UCLA. So don't be hating on people who call it what it is. UNLV was used to push his popularity and fan base then dropped to the highest bidder (Adidas).
Ray why are you so obsessed w Gorman? This is such a yesterday story. You are constantly hyping Gorman. One of your recent articles you said Gorman football had Over 20 division one football players sign in the last 3yrs. Don't believe this is true. I came up w 8 three yrs ago(3 have either quit or kicked out). 4 two yrs ago and 5 this yr which 17 total. Good but don't add to it. Also you said in article Sanchez got Libertyin game w Crespi. Also not true. It was a well connected parent from Liberty that made this happen. There are several kids around valley being recruited hard yet you keep writing about Gorman kids. It makes one wonder if local reporters might be on the Fertitas payroll now. Seriously Ray, let's ease up on all the Gorman stories and start covering the rest of the valley.
Titanfan you need to get off the guy's jock. If you see an article on Shabazz don't even click on it or read it, let alone take the time to comment on it. Just because Shabazz didn't choose UNLV doesn't mean "he doesn't give a crap about the town". He's still a local basketball player, so it still makes sense to write about him in a local paper. I, for one, will root for the guy. If he becomes the next Kobe or Durant, I will still root for him and be proud that he is from Vegas. I'm really not butthurt like some people because he chose UCLA. And I'm a diehard UNLV fan and I know we have a better team than them and will have a better season.