Words. Shabazz Muhammad

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: MORE >

Words. Jason Jordan

In front of a small crowd at the local Dave & Buster’s tonight, Menomonee Falls (Wis.) swingman J.P. Tokoto announced that he’s decided to play his college ball at North Carolina; shunning offers from Connecticut, Marquette, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, UCLA and Wisconsin.

As we’ve reported for a while, Tokoto to UNC has been a forgone conclusion for quite some time – especially after his friend, Linn-Mar (Marion, Iowa) junior point guard Marcus Paige gave the Tar Heels their first commitment from the Class of 2012 in early January. MORE >

Words. Jason Jordan

Menomonee Falls (Wis.) swingman J.P. Tokoto will pick between his final eight schools on Thursday at Dave & Buster’s, according to his mother Laurence Trimble.

Tokoto, a junior, cut his list on Valentine’s Day and will pick between Connecticut, Marquette, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, UCLA and Wisconsin. MORE >

Words. Arie Stark

Fort Bend Bush (TX) center Cameron Ridley, a highly-touted prospect in the Class of 2012, has verbally committed to the Texas Longhorns. The 6-10, 240-pounder, a native Texan, chose to stay in-state over offers from North Carolina, Georgetown and Ohio State.

A relative latecomer to the game of basketball, Ridley didn’t start playing competitively until two years ago, so his potential is high. He said the primary factor in choosing Texas was the relationship he’s built with the Longhorns’ coaching staff, particularly assistant Rodney Terry. MORE >

Words. Jason Jordan

Linn-Mar High (Marion, IA) junior point guard Marcus Paige ended his recruitment over the weekend, picking North Carolina over Iowa State, Iowa, Minnesota and Kansas.

“I would like to thank all the coaches across the country who have taken the time to recruit me to be a part of their basketball program,” said Paige in a press release. “The recruiting process has been exciting for me and my family. At this time I would like to announce that I have accepted a scholarship offer from Coach Roy Williams to continue my career as a student-athlete at the University of North Carolina.” MORE >

Words. Jason Jordan

Norfolk Christian (VA) forward James McAdoo has heard all of the jokes and chatter about the possibility of his future team, the North Carolina Tar Heels, having a repeat of their dismal 2009-10 season.

But McAdoo’s not buying it for a second.

“I look at it like this: You have one senior (Justin Knox) and he’s a transfer so he hasn’t even been in the system until this year,” said McAdoo, the headliner of UNC’s 2011 recruiting class who is ranked No. 7 in the HSH National Top 50. MORE >