Shabazz Muhammad’s NCAA Brackets Were Messed Up Too
Words. Shabazz Muhammad
Shabazz Muhammad (photo. Matt Scott)
Shabazz Muhammad was the breakout high school star of the summer. The 6-5 wing from Las Vegas was already rising through the rankings before he averaged 32 points per game on the AAU circuit, but now his name is one of the hottest on the prep scene.
Now every school from North Carolina to Kentucky to Duke is in pursuit of Muhammad, a junior who is ranked 8th overall in the High School Hoop national Top 50. Muhammad has agreed to give HSH and Dime exclusive access by chronicling his thoughts in a 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?
Sorry I haven’t done a diary in a while. I’d just been busy with my high school season and different All-Star games and things like that.
I just played in an All-Star game that was on ESPNU and I had a lot of fun. I got a chance to hang out with my boys L.J. Rose, Alex Murphy and Rasheed Sulaimon.
The Duke guys (Murphy and Sulaimon) were definitely going hard recruiting me and L.J. to Duke. Actually it was more Rasheed. He talked about it like every five seconds. Alex was more chill with it, but they were both talking about it a lot. They were saying we could have our own version of the Fab 5! They were definitely trying to get it done. I would give them both an “A” as recruiters.
…Of course a lot of people like to know about my recruitment. Nothing is really new with that. I have really just been working on my game, but coaches are allowed to come to my workouts starting next week so I’m sure things will pick up then. I’m pretty open at this point. I don’t have any one school that I’m focused on, despite what people say. I don’t know when I’ll decide. I think I’ll just do it when I feel the time is right, whenever I have that level of comfort that I’m looking for. Everyone is neck and neck right now.
The last visit that I went on was to Kentucky a few months ago. I had a great time there! I definitely liked it. Coach Cal is a great guy! He’ll really get on you but then he’ll make a couple jokes. I really like him.
…I thought they had a great run for such a young team. They’re only gonna get better with the recruiting class that they have coming in this year. They’ll be really talented! I actually had Kansas winning it all on my original ballot. So my ballot was messed up like a lot of other people’s.
…Now that March Madness is over, I’m just getting ready for AAU. My goal is to win more tournaments. We go to Las Vegas first then we go to Arkansas so I’m hoping to start of the season strong.
That’s all for now. Check back for my next entry!
Check out Shabazz making everyone look stupid in this video from the past year…
Follow Shabazz on Twitter at @Phenom15balla.
Follow High School Hoop on Twitter at @HighSchoolHoop.
uh oh….duke fans gonna be goin ape shit after reading this one.
My NCAA bracket was all messed up too. LoL. Enjoyed seeing VCU and Butler go far on team chemistry and scrappy fundamental basketball.
With Kyrie Irving, Nolan Smith, and Kyle Singler declaring for the NBA draft, I have a feeling Duke would look like this for 2012:
Quinn Cook / Tyler Thornton;
LJ Rose / Rasheed Sulaimon;
Shabazz Muhammad / Andre Dawkins
Josh Hairston / Michael Gbinije;
Alex Murphy / MP3.
Michael Gbinije is listed at 6’8″ now so he may change his playing style/position @ Duke to 3/4.
I’m not even sure if Austin Rivers, Quinn Cook, Seth Curry don’t declare for NBA draft in 2012.
If there’s a NBA lockout it may be:
Quinn Cook, Austin Rivers, Shabazz Muhammad, Josh Hairston, Alex Murphy. Depth!
What position do you see yourself playing Bazz?
2? 3? 4???
You can play college ball with games against teams in China, Dubai, U.K., against great programs like Michigan State, Georgetown, Kentucky, UNC, St. John’s, UCLA, Butler, etc.
Bishop Gorman is blessed to have you young bull.
Have a great AAU season. After seeing some of your finishing moves to the basket I would take you on my team even over J.P. Tokoto and that says a lot. Tokoto has great footwork. Check out his moves Bazz. He’s a soccer/football baller growing up and his game looks downright decent for the next level.
Y’all really shouldn’t allow comments here; it’s nothing but passive recruiting.
Yo Bazz, keep in mind that Calipari has a history of leaving programs in a quick and bad way. Not saying he’s not a great coach in all and he gets players drafted early, but write this down and call sharpie, Cal will be roaming the sidelines in South Beach next year! And if you ask him he is gona say no he aint but ive always compared him to a used car salesman, you know, 1 owner, lil old lady just drove it to the store!lol K brings stability and statistics and I would love to see that fab 5 yall were talking about in Duke uni’s! Where ever you go though, Ima be watching because I like the way you play the game!
Great mixtape video for Bazz.
Wherever he goes to play NCAA ball for he’ll be a contender. However, does Shabazz Muhammad have what it takes to be a champion?
I hope he keeps his bounce and saves his knees by playing unselfish basketball with decent teammates.