Howland 'Optimistic' Muhammad Will Be Cleared | Zagsblog
Recent Posts
About ZagsBlog
Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
Follow Zags on Twitter
Couldn't connect with Twitter
Contact Zags
Connect with Zags:
Thursday / March 28.
  • Howland ‘Optimistic’ Muhammad Will Be Cleared

    Share Zagsblog Share Zagsblog
    UCLA coach Ben Howland is hopeful that superstar freshman Shabazz Muhammad will be cleared by the NCAA.

    “I’m very optimistic about Shabazz,” Howland told reporters Thursday at Pac-12 media day in San Francisco. “I can’t tell you how long or when, I don’t know that. But again, these are great kids and I’m very confident that things are going to work out and very optimistic.”

    The 6-foot-6 Muhammad is being investigated by the NCAA for allegedly receiving improper benefits from boosters of his AAU program and for improper acceptance of airline flights for some of his recruiting visits.

    Muhammad had been practicing with the Bruins until hurting his right shoulder last week. His availability for their season opener on Nov. 9 against Indiana State is unknown.

    On Wednesday, his roommate and teammate, UCLA guard Kyle Anderson, the former McDonald’s All-American out of St. Anthony, was cleared by the NCAA. Anderson was being investigated for alleged recruiting violations

    “Haha hopefully I’m next so we can get this season going !!!!” Muhammad tweeted then.

    Muhammad and the No. 13 Bruins are scheduled to play in the Legends Classic at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center Nov. 19-20.

    UCLA will open play on Nov. 19 against Georgetown and will play either Indiana or Georgia on Nov. 20. Led by Preseason All-America forward Cody Zeller, the Hoosiers are ranked No. 1 in the Associated Press and USA Today Coaches Polls.

    (The AP contributed reporting)

    Written by

    [email protected]

    Adam Zagoria is a Basketball Insider who covers basketball at all levels. A contributor to The New York Times and SportsNet New York (SNY), he is also the author of two books and is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker. His articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide. He also won an Emmy award for his work on the SNY mini-documentary on Syracuse guard Tyus Battle. A veteran Ultimate Frisbee player, he has competed in numerous National and World Championships and, perhaps more importantly, his teams won the Westchester Summer League (WSL) championships in 2011 and 2013. He lives in Manhattan with his wife and children.

  • } });
    X