College Basketball Recruiting: Updates on Shabazz Muhammad and Unsigned Players

Shabazz Muhammad and Nerlens Noel head the 2012 college basketball recruiting class, yet they remain unsigned.

With dozens of schools clamoring for these guys, the latest news and rumors can be highly confusing. 

This is the simplified version of what you've been hearing.

John Calipari's Kentucky team and Mike Krzyzewski's Duke program seem to be on everybody's list, but Ben Howland's UCLA is sneakily forming a Top 10 class, and they are also pursuing these elite players.

With the No. 1, No. 2 and No. 7 recruits all left unsigned, the 2012 class is still open, and the remainder of the recruitment of these players is crucial.

We're not done just yet with the 2012 class, and these kids will be making headlines until the Spring, when they announce their final decisions.

Savon Goodman

Position: SF

Class Rank: 98

Considering: UCLA, Kansas, Temple, Villanova

Goodman is one of the hardest workers left in the class of 2012. He can drive and finish through contact, but he has also proven that he can knock down threes if left open.

Goodman previously committed to Villanova, but he backed out in late August. He later said that he would wait until Spring to announce his decision, which makes perfect sense as he should not be focusing on that during the season.

He talked about his recruitment with UCLA, Kentucky and Arizona last month, but Kentucky and 'Zona appear to be fading fast.

Goodman mentions the possibility of playing with his AAU teammate Kyle Anderson, who is ranked No. 3 in the class, at UCLA.

The list has a few recruits looking at UCLA, and we could see Ben Howland's bunch bring in a class to rival those of Kentucky's John Calipari and Arizona's Sean Miller.

I give the edge to UCLA on Goodman, as the attraction of Kyle Anderson—who he describes as a 6'9" point guard playing wing—will be enough to bring him to the Pac-12.

Torian Graham

Position: SG

Class Rank: 81

Considering: North Carolina State

Graham is the only shooting guard on this list. He is a great athlete who is also becoming an elite scorer  as he continues to improve his game.

While he does have other schools on his list (it consists of about 20 that he is technically looking into),  NC State is the only one he is truly considering.

I would be shocked if he didn't end up there.

Graham has already committed to NC State twice, but changed his mind both times. He still has them at the very top of his list, however. He just appears to want to keep his options open.

Maryland is probably the only other school Graham would consider, as he visited them between his commitments to the Wolfpack. However, he scratched them from his list after the trip.

If there is one commit whose plans appear to be finalized, it's Graham, and he will soon commit to NC State again. Third time's the charm.

Christopher Obekpa

Position: C

Class Rank: 55

Considering: Connecticut, Memphis, Georgia Tech, Cincinnati, Providence, St. John's, Seton Hall, UCLA, Washington

Obekpa is a long, athletic postman with incredible shot-blocking ability.

He plays incredibly hard, and never gives up. He's only been playing organized basketball for a few years and his stock is continually rising as he learns more about the game.

Obekpa is certainly taking his time with his recruitment and enjoying all of the attention he is receiving.

He will be making an announcement in the spring when his season ends, allowing him to go to a few games.

He has visited Providence, St. John’s, Seton Hall and Georgia Tech unofficially.

There isn't much new news about Obekpa, as he is focusing on school and his high school season. The last big development remains him blocking 20 shots with Steve Lavin watching.

I am still giving the edge to St. John's because Obekpa has visited them, and Steve Lavin has been recruiting him hard since the beginning.

Check back in spring for more updates.

Winston Shepard

Position: SF

Class Rank: 49

Considering: San Diego State, Oklahoma State, New Mexico, UNLV, UTEP, Oregon, St. John's

Winston Shepard is an aggressive, active small forward. He can lead his team in transition, but he can also drive or shoot mid-range jumpers in the half-court set.

Shepard has already visited New Mexico and San Diego State, and he returned to SDSU.

This shows that he has clear interest in the Aztecs, despite Oregon recruiting him just as hard.

I give the edge to SDSU, as Shepard continues to show that he has great interest in them.

The Aztecs seem to have nailed his second visit.

Tony Parker

Position: PF

Class Rank: 26

Considering: Duke UCLA, Kentucky, Ohio State, Memphis, Georgetown, Kansas

Parker is a big power forward who can easily carve out space on the low post.

He used to have a problem with his stamina and physique, but now he is more fit and ready to dominate at the next level.

Coaches Mike Krzyzewski and John Calipari were lucky enough to see him at the Hoophall Classic.

Apparently Alex Poythress, who is Parker's AAU teammate and has signed with Kentucky, is trying to help UK recruit Parker, which is always a big factor when it comes to recruiting.

It appears he will be the power forward Calipari is looking for to add to his 2012 class, and Parker will help make the class one of the best in the country, and potentially No. 1.

Amile Jefferson

Position: PF

Class Rank: 18

Considering: Duke, Connecticut, Kentucky, North Carolina State, Ohio State, Villanova

With good size and length, Jefferson is a good jumper away from being a true combo-forward.

He has good ball-handling skills and the ability to cut through the lane—he can also lead his team in transition.

Jefferson has visited to Duke, Temple N.C. State, Ohio State and Villanova.

Apparently, Duke is back on his list after he took them off for a time.

After hearing little to nothing from Duke for over a year, Jefferson is back on their radar.

He has loved the program since he attended "Countdown to Craziness" in his sophomore year, and he's loving Duke's recent push for him.

Because of this, I give a slight edge to Duke.

Devonta Pollard

Position: SF

Class Rank: 9

Considering: Alabama, Georgetown, Kentucky, Mississippi State, Missouri, Texas

Pollard is a highly athletic and very versatile forward.

He can hone in on a different aspect of his game, every game, and be equally effective.

Pollard still has six schools on his list, and each of them has a fighting chance.

His status is up in the air at the moment, but if I had to give and edge to one school it would have to be Kentucky.

John Calipari is a great recruiter, and Kentucky is the perfect place for Pollard. He is the ideal fit because he is incredibly athletic and can do whatever is asked of him.

Anthony Bennett

Position: PF

Class Rank: 7

Considering: Florida, Kentucky, Washington, Oregon, UNLV

Bennett is a powerful big man who has the potential to take over a game.

He can score in bunches or rebound well, and he can always carve out space on the low post, or knock down a short jumper.

UNLV fans appear hopeful to land Bennett to add to their incoming class, but I don't see him going there.

Kentucky is an interesting option, but the Wildcats are already bringing in a power forward from this list, so I wrote them off.

After seeing this article on recruiting and some of his interests, I give the edge to Florida.

They appear to have everything he wants, and he would be the big man the team needs.

Shabazz Muhammad

Position: SF

Class Rank: 2

Considering: UCLA, UNLV, USC, Kentucky, Duke

Muhammad is an incredible slasher, and he is an absolute freak athletically. 

He was the best player in the class until Nerlens Noel joined, and some still consider him to be No. 1.

Calipari saw Muhammad in person, but I don't see him being a Wildcat (which is why Devonta Pollard will go to Kentucky).

Khem Birch may be helping the cause for UNLV, as he will no doubt attract Muhammad to stay close to home.

Since UNLV is considered to be the best school in the west, I expect Muhammad to stay in his native Las Vegas.

Nerlens Noel

Position: C

Class Rank: 1

Considering: Connecticut, Florida, Georgetown, Kentucky, Duke, Providence, Syracuse

Noel recently reclassified to the 2012 class (his original class) from the 2013 class, and he is atop the rankings.

He is an extremely talented center with the ability to dominate the game.

While Duke and Kentucky are both making huge pushes for Noel, I don't see him going there. Florida is an interesting school for him, but that is probably not the right decision.

Noel recently attended a Syracuse home game in the seats reserved for family members, and anyone who enters the Carrier Dome typically falls in love with the college.

For this reason, and the fact that he fits into Jim Boeheim's system nicely, I see Noel joining the Orange.

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