Shabazz Muhammad: Rumors of Adidas Deal Tarnish UCLA Landing Top Recruit

There are undeniable ties between Shabazz Muhammad and Adidas, but they're unfairly tarnishing the historic program's recent victory on the recruiting trail.

Muhammad is arguably the nation's top prospect but is the unanimously considered the only one physically ready to play in the NBA.

On Wednesday he committed to UCLA over Duke and Kentucky, and immediately the rumors started to fly. Like Muhammad's sister Asia, a professional tennis player, and his AAU team, Dream Vision, the Bruins are sponsored by Adidas.

Ben Bolch and Baxter Holmes of the Los Angeles Times quote Muhammad's father, a former player at USC, saying:

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"I don't understand when they say Adidas had a presence here," Holmes said in a telephone interview from his Las Vegas home. "Adidas didn't tell us where to go to school. … If they're saying that Adidas is giving me money, that is a downright lie."

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He also pointed out that Shabazz's high school team was sponsored by Nike.

But all that aside, this bit of speculation is unfair to a program that hasn't had much to celebrate in recent years.

UCLA has missed the tournament in each of the last two years, but their 2012 recruiting class is one of the best in the nation.

In addition to Muhammad, the Bruins landed 5-star recruit Kyle Anderson and 4-star recruit Jordan Adams. This is a huge year for this program and fan base.

These fans couldn't be happier about their newest additions, and this should be a great time for everyone involved. 

Whether or not this is true, the Adidas speculation leaves the Bruins and the Muhammad family with a sour taste in their mouth—possibly for no reason at all.

Only time will tell if things run deeper, but for now, let the youngster and the resurgent program enjoy their victory.