Shabazz Muhammad is headed to Westwood.
The 6-foot-6 scoring sensation out of Las Vegas Bishop Gorman High announced for UCLA over Kentucky and Duke during an ESPNU program Wednesday night that followed a report by CBSSports.com indicating he would pick the Bruins.
SNY.tv has consistenly projected Muhammad to UCLA throughout the process.
Muhammad’s parents are both from Los Angeles. His father, Ron Holmes, played for USC. Muhammad’s sister, Asia, is ranked No. 386 on the WTA Tour and has a deal with adidas. Of the three schools on his final list, only UCLA is an adidas school.
“It was down to Kentucky, Duke and UCLA and I chose to be a Bruin so I will be at UCLA next year,” he said.
“I just think it’s a challenge knowing how bad they were these last two years and it’s a challenge to really get them back up to the top. And knowing that they’re the leaders in championships with 11 and with Kyle Anderson is a great addition to that program and Jordan Adams. And hopefully if Tony Parker will come, then there’s a lot of bits and pieces to that team will make it a really great team in the future.”
Muhammad, who dropped a record 35 points in Saturday night’s Nike Hoop Summit, will join Anderson, the St. Anthony point guard who has been called the “modern-day Magic Johnson” by Bob Hurley, and Adams, the Oak Hill wing, in UCLA’s 2012 class.
“I’m just so happy to have him for next season and I think we can do some big things at UCLA,” Anderson, who won 65 straight games over two years at St. Anthony, said on ESPNU.
Anderson added: “I knew we could be able to turn UCLA’s program around here. We had a tough year the last year but we’re ready to get back to work and turn it around.”
Asked for a message to UCLA fans, Muhammad said: “Everyone in Westwood, L.A., California, get reay for a really good season, a really exciting season, and hopefully we can sell out Pauley.”
UCLA could complete an even more spectacular recruiting class if the 6-9 Parker announces for UCLA. He is also considering Ohio State, Duke, Kansas and Georgia.
He, too, has ties to Anderson, having won the IS8 fall league with Anderson and the Playaz Basketball Club last fall.
