Shabazz Muhammad: UNLV Can't Compete for Top Prospect's Consideration

It looks like the hometown team is out for Shabazz Muhammad.

According to the ESPN recruiting expert Dave Telep, the nation's top recruiting prospect has trimmed his list of potential destinations to three, and UNLV isn't one of them.

Muhammad—who scored 15 points in the first half of Wednesday's 35th Annual McDonald's All-American game despite playing just 12 minutes and finishing with a game-high 21 points—has been the most desirable recruit in the nation heading into next season.

Though Muhammad told the Las Vegas Sun as recently as last week that UNLV was still in consideration for his talents, it seems that he has trimmed his list further, and leading up to his final decision on April 11, just three teams remain: Duke, UCLA and Kentucky.

Telep wrote on his blog that Kansas and UNLV rounded out Muhammad's top five, but they are his "second tier" teams, and the three powerhouses listed above are among the finalists.

Many deem it a surprise that Muhammad has crossed UNLV off the list, since the Red Rebels are coached by the brother of his high school coach, and they are, of course, the Las Vegas native's hometown team.

But it seems that the offers from some of the nation's top programs are simply more appealing at this point.

Telep wrote on his blog:

"

At this point, following a sit-down interview with the player who has been the star of the first two days of McDonald’s practice, it appears likely he’ll pick between the Bruins, Wildcats and Blue Devils.

Muhammad understands that the Blue Devils are all in regarding him and have been all year. His affinity for coach Mike Krzyzewski is apparent. Kentucky has emphasized, and rightfully so, its open door from Lexington to the NBA when it comes to elite players. Regarding UCLA, Muhammad freely admits that part of his game that needs altering is defense, and he’s certain Ben Howland would be the guy to address that area.

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And when it comes down to it, can you blame Muhammad for choosing three of the top programs in the nation over UNLV? There is something to be said for showing some love to your hometown, but Muhammad is smart enough to know that one player cannot build a championship team by himself.

Yes, if he chose the Rebels, he might be able to sway more top talent to follow him there, but that is not a certainty, and given how good he is, who knows how long he'll stay at the collegiate level before advancing to the pros?

Muhammad wants an opportunity to win while he is in school, and Duke, UCLA and Kentucky can offer him that opportunity immediately.

Duke, which is in contention to win the ACC every year and seems like a perennial front-runner in the NCAA tournament, consistently draws some of the nation's best talent every year, in large part due to Krzyzewski.

Kentucky is currently in the hunt for its eighth national championship and is the winningest program in college basketball in both wins and winning percentage. And UCLA, though it missed the tournament this year, has garnered a record 11 NCAA championships.

The Rebels are Muhammad's hometown team, but they just don't compare to those three institutions. Though it is one of the winningest programs in NCAA history in terms of percentage, it hasn't won an NCAA championship since 1990 and hasn't advanced past the Sweet 16 since 1991, during the reign of Jerry Tarkanian.

It would be understandable—more than understandable—if Muhammad opted for one of the most prestigious programs in NCAA history.

It's not personal. Muhammad simply wants to win and he should—and will—pick the school that will offer him the best opportunity to do so.