No. 1 prospect Shabazz Muhammad has not given any hints as to where he's headed next year. (US Presswire)

By Jeff Borzello

Everyone wants to know where Shabazz Muhammad will play his college basketball next season. As the consensus top prospect in the class of 2012, his decision has the attention of fans, casual observers, recruitniks, coaches – everyone.

Muhammad’s classmates at Bishop Gorman (Nev.) are no different.

“Probably 10 times a day in school,” Muhammad said last week when asked how often he hears the question. “Everyone wants to know. I don’t mind it. I just say I don’t know yet.

“I’m still looking at all my schools.”

Muhammad, a 6-foot-5 small forward, has had a pretty static list for the past year. UCLA, Kentucky, UNLV, Duke, Arizona, Kansas and USC are the ones jockeying for his services right now.

He’s taken his time throughout the process, only taking official visits to Kentucky and Texas A&M so far. He won’t make a decision until he’s taken all five of his officials.

“Probably when I’m done with my visits,” Muhammad said. “I have three more officials, and I’m definitely going to take them. I’ll have them scheduled in a month or so.”

For now, he said he’s looking at Duke, Kansas and Arizona for the remaining visits. Because they’re so close to home, UCLA and UNLV likely won’t receive official visits.

“It’s worthwhile to go to a farther school for an official, since they’re paying,” Muhammad said.

UNLV seems to be gaining some traction in his recruitment, especially after picking up Pittsburgh transfer Khem Birch. Moreover, the hometown school has been on Muhammad as long as anyone, and the Runnin’ Rebels performance this season is just proving that the program is on the rise.

They’re certainly in the mix for Muhammad.

“The program is really coming along,” he said. “They got Khem Birch, some other recruits. They’re a great program, they’re going to be a great team. I’m really looking forward to getting more involved with the recruitment.”

Muhammad also said he would be OK staying at home in Las Vegas.

John Calipari and a couple of assistants were in attendance for Muhammad’s game at the Hoophall Classic against DeMatha Catholic (Md.). The Wildcats are continuing to turn up the heat on Muhammad.

“The interest level is high,” Muhammad said. “Coach Cal was at my game. I talked to them a week ago. I just think I fit really well in their style of play.”

Another school that sent a head coach and two assistants was Duke, as Mike Krzyzewski was front-and-center for Muhammad’s nationally-televised game.

“Coach K is just a mastermind,” he said. “I’m really getting excited about going down there.”

The school that has been associated with Muhammad’s recruitment for most of the past two years was UCLA. The Bruins are squarely in the mix for him, and the addition of top-five prospect Kyle Anderson in the fall can only help.

“Who wouldn’t want to play with Kyle?” Muhammad said. “How he sees the floor is just remarkable.”

Another school in the running for an official visit from Muhammad is Arizona. The Wildcats have the top recruiting class in the country right now, and adding the No. 1 prospect would cement its spot atop the rankings.

Moreover, Sean Miller would have one of the most talented rosters around.

“I think I would fit really well,” Muhammad said. “They run a high-tempo style.”

Style of play is Muhammad’s most important factor in his recruitment. He prefers a mostly half-court style where he could use his tremendous scoring ability to his advantage, but he also wants some fast-break opportunities where he can get out in transition.

Muhammad won’t let the pressure get to him; he’s set on taking his time and making an informed decision after his season ends.

“It’s kind of weighing on me, but I’m still weighing my options out.”

By Jeff Borzello

If SMU indeed moves to the Big East in the next couple of years, the Mustangs will need Big East-level talent.

They started the process on Friday, getting a commitment from Blaise Mbargorba. The news was first reported by Scout.com.

Mbargorba is a 6-foot-11 Cameroon native, who burst onto the scene in 2009 as a relative unknown. The Peddie School (N.J.) product is very strong and athletic, and he moves fairly well for someone his size. He knows how to get position inside, and he has soft hands. Mbargorba’s offense is still somewhat raw, but he continues to improve.

He was considered a Vanderbilt lean for most of his recruitment, but the Mustangs made a late run to snag him. Mbargorba also held offers from Temple, Virginia Tech, Saint Joseph’s, West Virginia, George Mason, Northwestern, Clemson, Charlotte, Cincinnati and Columbia.

Commitment Catch-Up:

• D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera, Georgetown
• Jordon Granger, Auburn
• Ashauhn Dixon-Tatum, Auburn
• Jordan Hare, Rhode Island
• Brett Boese, Washington State
• Richard Longrus, Washington State
• Mychael Qualls, Arkansas
• Ryan Rosburg, Missouri
• Clyde Smith, TCU
• Charles Hill, TCU
• Kyle Molock, Saint Joseph’s
• Zach En’Wezoh, Columbia

Important Visitors:

• Kaleb Tarczewski, Arizona
• Willie Cauley, Kansas State
• Phil Nolan, Clemson
• Alex Poythress, Memphis
• T.J. Warren, Georgetown
• DaJuan Coleman, Ohio State
• Gary Harris, Kentucky
• Amile Jefferson, Kentucky
• Demetrius Jackson, Notre Dame (2013)
• Allerik Freeman, Villanova (2013)
• Keith Frazier, Arizona (2013)
• Stephen Domingo, Arizona (2013)

Decision Time:

- Dermarquise Johnson, a 2012 wing from Arizona, will choose Saturday between Washington, Washington State, Gonzaga and UNLV.
- Ioannis Papaetrou will choose between Texas and Kansas on Saturday
- On Monday, Terry Henderson will decide between NC State, Georgia, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia Tech, Miami (Fl.), Rutgers, George Mason and Richmond.


News and Notes: 2012 point guard Josh Gray decommitted from Mississippi State. 

By Jeff Borzello

After getting commitments from guards Katin Reinhardt and Daquan Cook earlier this summer, UNLV turned its attention to the frontcourt.

Late Monday night, the Runnin’ Rebels found their guy in Demetris Morant, an athletic big man who fits the target profile. Morant chose Rice’s program over San Diego State, with Memphis, Texas A&M, Utah, Arizona State and others also in the mix.

“Great coaches, good style of play,” Morant told CBSSports.com when asked why he chose UNLV. “I feel like family at that school, and I get a lot of help from people, getting better at basketball.”

Morant is a 6-foot-8 power forward from Bishop Gorman (Nev.) who played alongside No. 1 recruit Shabazz Muhammad on the AAU circuit, with Dream Vision. He is one of the better shot-blockers in his class, possessing tremendous timing and defensive instincts. Morant has great length and athleticism, and he avoids taking chances and fouling. Offensively, he is still very raw, but he knows how to run the floor and finish in transition.

Morant isn't sure exactly the sort of impact he will make at UNLV, but he's optimistic.

"The coaches must have seen something in me," he said. 

By Jeff Borzello

June was the key month for Allerik Freeman.

Prior to it, he was considering a prospect that could play at the high-major level. After big-time weekends at the Nike Elite 100 and NBPA Top 100 Camp, Freeman became one of the most sought-after players in the country.

An impressive July vaulted him to the No. 15 spot in the CBSSports.com Top 100.

“I feel like I’ve been getting better and I played more on the main stage this year,” Freeman said.

While he has always been able to use his strength and finishing ability to execute off the dribble, Freeman expanded his game in the past few months to make himself more dangerous.

“My pull-up three ball,” he said. “I’ve zoned in on my mid-range game, and just using my speed and size.”

In terms of recruiting, so many schools are pursuing Freeman that he barely remembers all of them.

He holds offers from North Carolina State, Miami (Fl.), Florida, Kansas, Tennessee, South Carolina, Xavier, UNLV, Georgetown, Baylor, Oklahoma, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Kansas State, Memphis, Texas, Villanova and Wake Forest, while also hearing from North Carolina, Clemson, Marquette, DePaul, Florida State and Arizona.

With upwards of 30 schools vying for his services, Freeman is ready to start eliminating suitors.

“I’m cutting it to nine by August 25th,” he said.

Photo: VUHoops.com 

By Jeff Borzello

Dave Rice has made an immediate impact at UNLV, but he picked up his biggest get on the recruiting trail on Thursday.

Katin Reinhardt, a 6-foot-4 guard from Mater Dei (Calif.), committed to the Runnin’ Rebels. Reinhardt is ranked No. 36 in the updated CBSSports.com Top 100.

Since decommitting from USC in May, Reinhardt picked up offers from Arizona, Baylor, Arizona State, Gonzaga, Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech, North Carolina State, Colorado, with interest coming from schools including St. John’s, Texas, West Virginia, Kentucky and Syracuse.

“It’s a great choice,” Ernie Reinhardt told Evan Daniels of Scout.com. “It’s a great opportunity. He’s really excited about the coaching staff and what they are trying to do here.”

Reinhardt boosted his stock – and his recruitment – with his impressive play in June and July. He is no longer just a 3-point shooter, showing an ability to handle the ball effectively and facilitate the offense for teammates.

“I’m working on all aspects of my game,” Reinhardt told me in June. “I’m just trying to get better, playing really well on the defensive end.”

This is a monster get for Rice, who has already picked up commitments from 2013 prospect Christian Wood and senior DaQuan Cook since taking over for Lon Kruger in the spring.

Photo: MaxPreps.com

By Jeff Borzello

Zena Edosomwan was one of the fastest-rising players on the spring and summer AAU circuit.

Despite the attention it has brought him, Edosomwan is glad that the grind is finally over.

“I’m just happy I’m done with AAU because it’s crazy,” he said. “You play so many games in such a short period.”

Edosomwan, a 6-foot-7 power forward from Harvard-Westlake (Calif.), made an impression in the spring and then solidified his standing by holding his own against the cream of the crop. He runs the floor well and is excellent at finishing in transition. Edosomwan is willing to do the dirty work in the paint, but is athletic and skilled enough to make plays on the glass and above the rim.

The next step for him will be recruiting, which has heated up in a major way lately.

“It’s going really well,” Edosomwan said. “I just have to cut down my list soon.”

He picked up offers in the past couple of days from UNLV, California and Wake Forest, adding to a collection that also includes Harvard, Georgia Tech, Washington State, USC, Colorado, Utah, Oregon, Maryland, Gonzaga and Arizona State. Edosomwan, who ranks No. 68 in CBSSports.com's Top 100 and also holds a 3.4 GPA, has strong interest from UCLA, Texas, Vanderbilt, Washington and Virginia Tech.

While Edosomwan has taken visits to UCLA and USC, he is not ready to make a decision about his future just yet.

“I’m going to enjoy the visits and the whole process,” he said.

Edosomwan has certainly earned a break.

Photo: LA Daily News

By Jeff Borzello

After playing alongside incoming Arizona freshman Nick Johnson last year, Nigel Williams-Goss knows his time to shine is coming up.

“We’ve had great players in the past, and I think I played well last year,” Williams-Goss said. “I wouldn’t say I was overshadowed. I’ll have my chance this year.”

Williams-Goss, a 6-foot-2 guard from Findlay Prep (Nev.), committed to UNLV last December, but decided to open up his recruitment after head coach Lon Kruger left the desert to go to Oklahoma.

With Dave Rice coming on board, Williams-Goss said the Runnin’ Rebels are still under consideration.

“They’re definitely in there,” he said.

The talented lead guard has good size for his position and is also adept at finding teammates in areas where they can score. He has good basketball IQ for someone his age, and uses his strength to finish through contact at the rim.

Williams-Goss ranked No. 48 in CBSSports.com’s 2013 rankings, but he is sure to move up when they are updated in August.

“I’ve been playing pretty good, but there’s always room for improvement,” he said.

In addition to UNLV, Williams-Goss said Washington is also in heavy pursuit. He is hearing from Oklahoma, Miami (Fl.), Georgia Tech, Harvard, Saint Mary’s and the entire Pac-12 besides California and Stanford.

Williams-Goss will likely take his time with his second college decision.

“Definitely, I have to be there for four years,” he said.

Photo: MaxPreps