Shabazz Muhammad: Why Top Recruit Is Not Just Another Over-Hyped Prep Star

We've seen kids get tons of accolades and attention out of high school, only to fall flat in college or the NBA. Well that isn't who Shabazz Muhammad is.

He isn't Felipe Lopez or Dajuan Wagner. I'm not going as far as saying he's LeBron James either, but this kid's mental and physical makeup makes him as can't miss as a kid can be.

There are simply no major deficiencies that can't be worked through with hard work and practice. That's the best part: Muhammad has shown that he has plenty of both.

Garry Randazzo of 247 Sports wrote:

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Fresh off the release of 247 Sports and its partner PrepStars.com’s 2012 basketball player rankings, 6-foot-5, 205 pound wing player Shabazz Muhammad is taking the top billing in stride.

Muhammad, who’s work ethic in the practice gym and the weight room is arguably more impressive than his on-the-court skills when the lights are shining brightest, remains more focused on improving as a basketball player rather than getting bogged down by the hype surrounding his recruitment.

“Shabazz doesn’t rest on any laurels,” said his father, Ron Holmes. “He’s only concerned with getting better, working hard and helping his team win games.”

So, how exactly is Muhammad managing these concerns?

“He’s in the gym 5-6 times a week, sometimes more,” said Holmes, adding, “and he’s lifting four times a week with a dedicated trainer.”

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Right now, he's deciding which university will be the benefactors of his talent, for what will likely be one year of stellar play.

The nominees have been reduced to Kentucky (of course), UCLA and Duke. Recent reports have surfaced that he may be leaning towards the Bruins, but he hasn't said anything officially. 

At 6'5" and a chiseled 215 pounds, Muhammad has the size to matchup with any 2-guard in the NBA, and most certainly anyone in college basketball.

Muhammad is also an elite athlete. He displayed that at the McDonald's All-American game. He won the Slam Dunk contest and threw down several booming slams in the game.

Check out this highlight reel of Muhammad:

Muhammad is a lefty with crafty, mature dribble drive and pullup moves. He has a solid jump shot, but it is one of the few areas he needs to improve. He also can be too left hand dominant, but it isn't because he can't go right.

Honestly, he's so talented, he has rarely been forced to show the right hand.

As a defender, Muhammad is tenacious. Think Michael Kidd-Gilchrist's level of tenacity. This kid wants to win in the worse way, and he'll do anything to accomplish that goal. He isn't above diving for loose balls or physical play.

Like most young players, he'll gamble and lose his man when he doesn't have the ball, but again, these are things he can improve upon.

Muhammad is a cross between Dominique Wilkins and a more athletic, harder working version of Glenn Robinson.

Prospects generally have ceilings based on size or athleticism. Muhammad has none of these physical impediments.

Athletically gifted athletes may have issues with hard work and commitment to their craft, because things have always come so easy. Muhammad has none of those intangible impediments either.

When a player is both gifted and hard working, that is what makes a superstar. That is exactly what Muhammad is destined to be.

Good luck Wildcats, Bruins and Blue Devils.