Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

prep basketball:

Gorman’s Shabazz Muhammad jumps to top spot in national recruiting rankings

The 6-foot-6 wing, who is being courted by UNLV, is considered nation’s top high school basketball player for 2012 by one service

Bishop Gorman-Findlay Prep

Justin M. Bowen

Bishop Gorman’s Shabazz Muhammad shoots a runner during the game against Findlay Prep Saturday, January 22, 2011 at the Cox Pavilion. Findlay eked out an 89-86 double overtime win.

Shabazz Muhammad

Shabazz Muhammad of Bishop Gorman High, one of the nation's top recruits for the class of 2012, sits down with the Las Vegas Sun to talk about everything from basketball to what type of music is on his ipod. He averaged 19 points and 10 rebounds per game last year and highlights the Sun's Super Seven pre-season team.

Bishop Gorman High's Shabazz Muhammad is considered the nation’s best high school basketball player for the class of 2012.

The 6-foot-6 rising senior wing is ranked No. 1 by Rivals.com in its Rivals 150, which was updated Friday. On May 25, he was ranked as No. 2. recruiting prospect.

Muhammad, who averaged 25 points per game last winter in leading Gorman to the Sunset Region title, has seen his stock further increase the past five weeks with outstanding performances at various showcase events — notably the Pangos All-American Camp and the NBPA Top 100 Camp.

"Shabazz Muhammad has certainly passed through the gauntlet of scrutiny," said Jerry Meyer, Rivals.com's national basketball analyst. "Over time he has answered all the questions about his game and continues to improve. There might be some prospects that could end up better than Muhammad, but the odds don't seem to be in favor of that happening. The smart move at this point is to make Muhammad the top prospect in the Rivals150."

Muhammad can hand-pick where he’ll play college basketball, with powers such as Duke, North Carolina and Kansas all actively vying for his service.

Hometown UNLV is also in the mix, with Rebels’ first-year coach Dave Rice the brother of Gorman coach Grant Rice. Muhammad’s father, Ron Holmes, told the Sun in April his son would visit UNLV and give the Rebels consideration.

Power forward Anthony Bennett of Findlay Prep in Henderson, another recruiting target for UNLV’s 2012 recruiting class, also jumped in the rankings. The 6-foot-7, 230-pound inside force went from No. 22 in late-May to No. 7.

"No matter the venue or the event, Bennett is consistently one of the top players," Meyer said. "He has a special mentality to go along with a physical and skilled game."

Forwards Rosco Allen (No. 75) and Ben Carter (No. 121) from perennial Nevada power Gorman also made the Rivals 150. Both players, however, dropped a few spots — Allen 10 spots; Carter 12. Both have been offered scholarship by UNLV.

Join the Discussion:

Check this out for a full explanation of our conversion to the LiveFyre commenting system and instructions on how to sign up for an account.

Full comments policy