College Basketball Recruiting 2012: Nerlens Noel, Shabazz Muhammad Report Card

The two top players have landed, and boy was it a coup for the schools that landed them.

For UCLA, Shabazz Muhammad could represent a return to prominence for UCLA. For Kentucky, Nerlens Noel could be the key piece to a repeat championship for the Wildcats.

Let's grade these signings for each school.

Shabazz Muhammad, SF, UCLA

UCLA has seen better stretches than the one they are currently on, that's for sure. But after landing two top-five recruits in Muhammad and the versatile Kyle Anderson, things are looking up.

The two should be a perfect match. Muhammad will certainly need the ball in his hands so he can attack as a scorer, and Anderson is an excellent passer who will make his teammates better and has the size to play both guard positions and a point forward role.

With the Wear twins returning and Joshua Smith possibly sticking around too, UCLA could find themselves legitimate contenders to win the Pac-12 and make a deep tournament run next March. Muhammad's commitment to UCLA could ultimately save Ben Howland's job.

Determining a grade for this signing was pretty easy.

Grade: A+

Nerlens Noel, C, Kentucky

Any time you land a player considered by many to be the top prospect in the country, you've done well for yourself.

But Noel also fills a huge need for this Kentucky team, devoid of a prominent center with the pending departure of Anthony Davis.

John Calipari already had himself a nice little recruiting class, with top-20 prospects Archie Goodwin and Alex Poythress set to man the wings for Kentucky next year.

Add in NC State transfer Ryan Harrow to man the point and pencil in 2010 top-20 recruit Kyle Wiltjer at the other forward spot, and you've got yourself a starting five that will be among the preseason favorites to win the national championship.

But it all starts with Noel.

He may not provide quite the same defensive presence Davis did this year for Kentucky, but he's a banger inside who is an excellent shot-blocker. His offensive game is still a bit raw, but scoring shouldn't be an issue for this team.

Add another top class to the resume of John Calipari and his one-and-done All-Stars.

Grade: A

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