Shabazz Muhammad Diary: Kentucky vs. North Carolina
Words. Shabazz Muhammad
Few players, if any, had as productive a summer as Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, NV) shooting guard Shabazz Muhammad — evident of his 32 ppg scoring average on the AAU scene. Now every school from North Carolina to UCLA is in hot pursuit of the 6-5 junior, making his one of the most intriguing recruiting stories in the country.
Muhammad, who is ranked No. 8 in the HSH National Top 50, has agreed to give us exclusive access by chronicling his thoughts in this regular diary where he’ll keep everyone updated on his high school season and the recruiting process:
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What’s up world! Things have been going really well with me lately.
I visited North Carolina again last weekend for their game against Kentucky. That was my first Carolina game, and my dad and I were very impressed. The arena was really alive and the fans were great! Both schools are recruiting me and I got a chance to watch them in-person, so it was like a two-for-one with that visit. That was why I picked that game to go to.
Just to watch Coach (John) Calipari and Coach (Roy) Williams go head-to-head was a great experience. It allowed me a chance to see what each program had to offer up close. I didn’t get a chance to talk to Coach Calipari because I wanted to wait until I got back home to talk with him, just out of respect for North Carolina. I wanted to give them my full attention while I was on their campus.
I spent a lot of time with Coach Williams and the team while I was there. I learned a lot about what all they would have in store for me if I were to come there in the future. They basically said that there’s a lot of freedom in the offense and Coach Williams pointed out how they push the ball. He told me that the last thing he wants to do is set up a play. He just wants to run. So they said a lot of the things that I wanted to hear. It was just a great experience for me. North Carolina really takes care of you when you go up there. I had a ball!
I learned a lot about both teams from this visit. From North Carolina, I learned that Coach Williams really just lets his guards play and they really get up and down the floor. That was a big part of those guys getting the win. With Kentucky, I was really liking how intense Coach Calipari was with his players. He wants you to do the little things to get you ready for the next level. I was watching that with my dad and he was pointing that out to me. I thought that was really important to see.
I went to Louisville a few weeks back and that was also a great experience. The atmosphere was different there. It was my first time being in Kentucky and I really liked it! The YUM Center was just amazing! It was off the charts! Then, of course getting a chance to talk with Coach (Rick) Pitino was a great experience. He really lets his guys run and that Big East is definitely nothing to play with! I like having competition every night, so that’s appealing.
I’m definitely aware that people feel like after two visits to North Carolina that I’m favoring them. I understand why people say that, but my dad and I are trying to gather as much information as we can on these visits and I’m gonna take as many visits as it takes to gather the most information. With that being a game against two schools that I’m high on, I thought it was a great chance to go and see what each schooled offered in person.
I wouldn’t say that I’m favoring North Carolina over the other schools, but I am feeling them a lot. I’m also feeling Kentucky and Duke and Louisville and Memphis and UCLA … I like a lot of the schools on my list! I’m just continuing to get to know the coaches better and gathering all of the information that I can to move forward with the process.
I’m planning on taking a visit to Kentucky soon, but I’m not sure when, since my season is starting this week. I definitely want to get up to Lexington and see what’s up there! Me and my boy Rodney Purvis are trying to get up to Kentucky at the same time. I’m still planning to visit Duke in January, and I know that will be exciting. I’m not sure who they’re playing, but those guys are doing a great job again this year. Coach K is doing a great job with them and they’re a great team, and I want to watch a great team!
I’m not in rush to decide on where I want to go to school. I’m thinking that I’ll be waiting until my senior year for that. Obviously, my senior year I’m allowed to take five official visits, but I don’t think I’ll take all five because I’m taking so many unofficial visits now. I’m still not sure when I’m gonna cut my list down. I know the schools that I really, really like, but others are just in there to be in there. I’m not sure when I’ll cut that down, but I’ll definitely let you guys know.
Other than basketball, school is going really good. I definitely make sure that I’m staying on top of the books. I learned a lot in my speech class and it’s really helped me to do things like interviews and just being around people without being shy at all. So I definitely incorporate what I learn in the classroom with what I do in life and in basketball.
Well, that’s all for now. Thanks for reading and definitely check back for my next entry!
* Follow Muhammad @Phenom15balla
* Follow High School Hoop on Twitter @HighSchoolHoop
Taaaaar heeeeels!
This kid would be amazing at duke where the guards get up and down the court and Coach K would actually run plays for him.
At duke he could also learn the amazing skills of flopping and fouling his self on his jump shots.
what a predictable excuse for an argument against Duke. How long are you going to accuse other teams of cheating? These are the words of a immature hater who cries cheating whenever they lose. so cliche… Even professionals in the NBA try to draw fouls during jump shots for 3/4 point plays…
You want a better excuse for an argument against Duke? Everyone hates Dook. So, he could go to UNC, KY, LOU, enjoy college…or go to Duke and hate it like Elton Brand hated it.
another trite and ridiculous argument. You know that Coach K and Elton Brand still keep in touch right?
People choose how long they want to play NCAA basketball.
Elton Brand was considering entering the draft to be a lottery pick the year before he left and he trusted Coach K on working on his entire game and defense so he could demonstrate to NBA scouts how good he really is…
Elton Brand was the number one pick in the NBA draft of June 1999.
He married a fellow Duke student: Shahara Simmons
Stop trying to speak for New York State Mr. Basketball and NBA pro Elton Brand like you know him.
you sound mad and insecure… somebody a bit nervous about where Shabazz is deciding where he goes to play NCAA basketball? Like we’re really going to change his mind.
Shabazz Muhammad is checking a number of legit basketball programs. For you to single out “dook” means that you are genuinely worried he’s going to commit to Duke like Quinn Cook, Michael Gbinije, Austin Rivers, and Marshall Plumlee.
Let it go man… let it go.
Everyone hates “dook”? you mean like how Everybody hates Chris but Everybody loves Raymond. LoL.
You definitely sound like a hater…
Come to Duke man! You see how Harrison Barnes is struggling in that UNC system. Roy doesn’t feature his wing players like K does. Just ask Paul Pierce about how he featured LaFrentz (spell check) over him. Notice how K runs off ball screens for Kyle to get wide open shots compared to Roy’s way of not running any plays for the supposely first overall pick in next year’s draft. After this season Harrison’s stock will drop thanks to Ole Roy, you don’t want that to happen do you? Plus you’ll learn to play D in K’s system!
If you read Coach William’s interviews you would know that they do run plays to get Harrison open looks. Harrison and Coach Williams have admitted that it’s just taking Harrison a little time to adjust to the college game. I also don’t think it is wise to take a shot a Coach William’s ability to send players to the NBA. Since 2005 he’s helped 11 guys get to the NBA. It would be stupid to say Coach K can’t prepare players for the NBA after what happened to #1 ranked HS player, Shavlik Randolph, ya know?
Preseason All Americans should not have to adjust to the college game; the college game should adjust to them. E.g. Kyrie Irving
yea cuz wayne ellington, rashad mccants, etc ended up having terrible college careers…yea you right
@heeligan – no i didn’t read the williams interviews, but i have watched their games and they don’t really run plays for barnes compared to singler and the Duke motion offense. most of the offense i see for barnes comes off isolation. with a dominant low post scorer like zeller, i’d like to see some inside/outside looks, but barnes needs to get his shooting touch back. do believe Duke would be a better fit to showcase his offense but he’s probably unc’s to loose and he will thrive wherever he goes.
@kwame – ellington was a shooting guard. mccants was a collegiate beast… when he wanted to be.
Shabazz has a lot of great schools to choose from.
UNC is fortunate to have Shabazz’s interest. The Carolina family, especially the Carolina Basketball family, is an amazing circle. It’s so special to be a part of that tradition. And no one “runs” better than Roy Williams and UNC. Factor in the beautiful campus, great academics, the awesome social scene and it’s easy to see why Shabazz is fortunate to have UNC’s interest as well.
Why can’t more tar heel fans be like you. Most tar heel fans are ignorant idiots spouting immature lies and down duke as much as possible and highlight UNC excessively. You, however make a logical argument that the UNC campus is indeed beautiful and is one of top public colleges in the nation. Some people like @Tarheel 32 could learn something from you.
I agree with Asad and Heeligan. At least you’re mentioning the positives about UNC-Chapel Hill instead of trash talking somebody else’s school because of insecurity. I wish more Carolina fans new the positives of their storied program and focused on positives to offer Shabazz Muhammad.
Dook is great for players that like to slowly walk the ball off the court, flop whenever anyone touches them, and like hanging out with rats.
Carolina is the school of Jordan, Vince Carter, Marvin Williams, (soon to be Harrison), etc. Who are the NBA wing players from dook? Corey Maggette?
You will shine in Carolina’s system and become the best basketball player you can be.
3rd in ppg in the nation really says a lot about Duke’s tempo. They are more dynamic and more explosive than any team this year. What’s even worse than your ignorant statement is that even when Duke plays their worst basketball they still make the NCAA tournament. Can UNC say that?
Duke plays their worst and still makes tournament? Obviously you don’t know your Duke History. 1995 – Duke sucked and didn’t make any tournament. That’s the year Coach K quit on his team and then came back and asked the NCAA to remove all thoses losses from his record. Wow – How can you respect a man that does that. I guarantee if he had a national contender in 1995 he wouldn’t walked out on his team because his back hurt.
ignorant… you know very little about Coach K’s family situation and health should come first even before a team.
All the good wing players from Carolina came before Roy’s time, only decent wing player that Roys put into the league that i can think of is Marvin Williams. K has Grant Hill, Maggette, Dahntay Jones, Dunleavy, Luol Deng, Shane Battier, Gerald Henderson and soon to be Kyle Singler.
CAROLINA is where the good looking girls go to school . Just saying Shabazz .
THough I’m a a duke fan…that is completely true….
LoL… I’m a witness too. UNC-Chapel Hill has 20,000 undergrad and so on average the girls at UNC are easier on the eyes. However, as a Duke graduate, just because the odds were lower at Duke of connecting with an attractive woman, Duke women were amazing. Too bad so many of the beautiful girls were already in relationships.
Shabazz, Look at Coach K, coached Olympic team, brought home GOLD, coached USA team, brought home GOLD, and coached Duke to another National Championship and look at all the NBA teams that have offered him huge contracts, I wonder why Roy hasn’t been offered the Olympic or USA team? I wonder why the NBA is not knocking down his door? Once you attend the game in Cameron, you will see why it is the BEST place to play in college basketball!!!!!!! GO DUKE!!!!!!!
You are right, K won olympic gold, it had nothing to do with the fact that the team added guys like Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard and Chris Paul and Lebron James, Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony had blossomed into superstars by 2008 whilst they were struggling in 2004.
That had nothing to do with that gold medal (and yet, USA STILL barely beat Spain).
uh… the 2008 Gold Medal Olympic USA team was talented. How does this take away from Coach K and the other coaches involved? In fact, 2010 Team USA won a World Championship and they were talented as well.
Look at the legacy of USA basketball, most of the players who bought into Colangelo and Coach Kryzewski’s system are killin’ it with their respective NBA teams this year.
I don’t see how this takes away from Coach K?
What NBA teams? The Lakers? You mean the team that offered the job to Roy Williams who made much less of a public hoopla about it?
Mitch Kupchak is a Tar Heel.
I like the fact that Shabazz Muhammad is checking out different universities and college basketball programs with his father. Advice from people family should not be taken lightly.
Shabazz, I hope you get get Rodney Purvis and Alex Murphy to check out Duke together. The three of you could play some great basketball together for the same team in college. Good to see you’re taking your time with your decision too.
I took a public speaking class @ Duke and it helped me long term for each job / position I’ve been offered. Happy holidays to you and yours…
Hey dookcheats, I believe the NCAA is getting ready to drop the hammer on your CHEATING football program!!!!!!
At least UNC has a football “program”.
Pick the school that is best for you, not Rodney Purvis or Alex Murphy, because it’s the last decision that you make that is completely yours.
I can’t speak on schools like UK or Loiusville, I don’t know a thing about them but I’m in a situation where I’ve been at both UNC and Duke.
They’re two completely different places are far as campus life goes and completely different campus culture. I like Duke and the opportunities that I’ve been given here but I could never stand the undergraduate student body. But that’s just me. And I’m not talking about smart kids who are obsessive compulsive about studying, they’re fine, it’s the trust-fund babies with the over inflated sense of importance who bring their Gossip Girl attitudes to college that rub me the wrong way. Again, that’s just the way that I see it. Visit the school and make your own judgments.
Im a duke fan…and you’re completely right. Though that is true- you can’t pass up the expert eye and tutelage that Coach K can give to not only prepare him for the next level but also put him in the best position to win a ring.
True story… I just tried to stay away from the “trustfund babies with the over inflated sense of importance.” Some of these students came in with a sense of entitlement like they own the whole world but honestly… you get those people everywhere… it’s called immaturity and living in a bubble… kinda like the hollywood bubble / a reality show bubble / daddy’s little princess bubble.
I’m in agreement with you that Shabazz Muhammad is ultimately going to make his own judgements. He’s already set up visits to each school he’s interested in with his father.
Big East competition…20,000+ every home game…Yum Center…Coach P. Why mess with the top-heavy ACC?? Shock the world and land at Da Ville!!!
Hey HeelinDurham, What about the 12 to 15 million a year deal the Nets offered him in the spring? Do you think the Lakers wanted Roy? I like the way you said that the USA team barely won, just like a Tar Hole fan!!!!!! GO DUKE!!!!!!
Roy Williams was offered the head coaching job for the Lakers by Mitch Kupchak three times. In ’94, ’04 and ’05. Kupchak has publically stated this several times now.
Team USA beat Spain because Kobe Bryant got hot in the last 5 minutes and hit several clutch shots. That had nothing to do with K and the game was close until that point. I love how Duke fans think that adding the league MVP, the league’s best point guard and center and a host of other superstars to replace guys like Iverson, Stephon Marbury, Lamar Odom and Richard Jefferson have nothing to do with 2008′s success.
Honest question… do you go to Duke?
Correction, the first time was offered by Jerry West in ’94.
uh… Lamar Odom, Westbrook, Durant, Iguodala, Rose, etc. still won a Championship with Coach K this past summer. What exactly is your argument HeelinDurham? It’s very obvious you are a fan of UNC-Chapel Hill.
We get it.
Find a better hobby than trying to put down a respected coach who wins NCAA championships, Olympic Gold, World Championships, etc. with the chips he’s dealt.
I’m not even saying Coach Roy Williams is a bad coach. Just stop acting so insecure like Coach Roy Williams is the only good coach on the planet.
Except I never put K down. I’m simply responding to Kevin’s point of: Coach K is better than Roy Williams because of NBA job offers, which is false as Roy Williams has turned down 12 NBA job offers to this point. Not that it matters, John Calipari has held NBA head coaching positions and he is horrible.
Coach K has his faults and Coach Roy Williams has his faults. K has had disappointing results with teams full of McD All Americans and Roy Williams has been on top of the college basketball world all within the last three years. Only an idiot would act like Roy Williams is the only good coach on the planet, but only an idiot would also act like Coach K is some sort of God like Kevin does and forget about the stacked teams that K had from 05 to 09 that never got it done.
The one thing I know is Coach K is getting ready to become the coach with the most wins in NCAA history!!!!
Purvis to Louisville…next? Join the #1 PG in the 2012 class and be part of the team that hangs the first banner in the new arena!! To da Ville, Shabazz!!