Bruin Recruiting: Prep News Roundup (12/27)

By Bruin Basketball Report

Prep News Roundup is published every Monday.

Commits

“We’d like to see (and play against) more of those Top 10 teams before and after Christmas,” said Bryant. “It’s the only way to get better. Defensively, we’ve shown we can play with these teams but offensively we’re still a little rusty. “You know though, kids like (UCLA signee) Norman Powell, they really don’t care about numbers.” Union Tribune 12/23

Recruits

Kyle Anderson’s excellent interior performance yesterday is unlikely to send college coaches scrambling to rework their recruiting pitches. The 6-8 junior already was widely considered one of the top young shooting guards in the nation. But Anderson’s ability to excel in every phase in the low post just may force upcoming opponents into some last-minute tinkering with the scouting report. Anderson, the former standout at now-closed Paterson Catholic, scored 23 points, collected 10 rebounds and added two steals to guide St. Anthony to a 62-50 victory over young, stubborn and very talented Gill St. Bernard’s at the Hoop Group Tip Off Classic at Seton Hall University, South Orange. NJ.com 12/19

Some consider Shabazz Muhammad to be the best high school junior basketball player in the country, yet the Las Vegas (Nev.) Bishop Gorman guard isn't even sure if he's the best athlete in the family. Muhammad's father, 6-foot-5 Ron Holmes, played basketball at USC. The genetics Muhammad inherited from his mom, Faye Muhammad, have come in handy as well. Faye Muhammad was a an elite high school basketball player and competed in that sport as well as in track and field in college at Long Beach State. Her brother, Stephone Paige, played wide receiver for the Kansas City Chiefs for 10 seasons in 1983-92. "My mom, she inspires me to play hard," Muhammad said. News Press 12/20

Gorman junior Shabazz Muhammad, the No. 1 shooting guard in the country according to ESPN, poured in a game-best 29 points. "I really wish we could have contained Shabazz a little better," Byrd said. "We tried, but that's just who he is." News Press 12/20

With Mater Dei up just 57-54 with 12.8 seconds, Cook scrapped and clawed to help the Monarchs retain possession. David Brown and Katin Reinhardt made five free throws in the final 1:10 to seal the win. Reinhardt led Mater Dei with 17 points while Brown added 13 and Xavier Johnson 11. News Press 12/21

Three major Division I college basketball coaches lined the first rows of the Berkeley High bleachers Tuesday, presumably to take a look at Bishop O'Dowd junior star Brandon Ashley. But with Ashley limited most of the first three quarters because of foul trouble, fellow junior standout Richard Longrus stole the show with an energetic 11-point, 12-rebound effort as the visiting Dragons cruised past previously unbeaten Berkeley 67-35....Cal's Mike Montgomery, Kansas' Bill Self and Washington's Lorenzo Romar were all in attendance, but Ashley picked up two fouls in the first minute and had just six points at halftime. But a strong night from the free-throw line -- he went 10 of 11 overall and 6 of 6 in the fourth quarter -- allowed Ashley to finish with a solid 14 points, five rebounds and three blocks. Contra Costa Times 12/21

What makes Shabazz Muhammad a player you can't miss? First, just watch the videos here. If that's not enough, know that scouts praise him as a terrific athlete who has the physical gifts to score both inside and outside. This is no undersized shooting guard, in fact, many reports indicate he will play small forward at the college level. Not only can he light up the scoreboard, but according to scouts, he's also a potential lockdown defender and excellent rebounder. Mass Live 12/22

Self has been not only coaching his team, but recruiting on this trip to California. Self on Tuesday attended a game of Brandon Ashley, a 6-8 junior power forward from Bishop O’Dowd High in Oakland. Ashley, the No. 6-prospect in the Class of 2012, had 14 points, five rebounds and three blocks in a win over previously unbeaten Berkeley High. The Contra Costa Times reported that Cal coach Mike Montgomery and Washington’s Lorenzo Romar also attended. KU Sports 12/23

Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei juniors Katin Reinhardt and Xavier Johnson spoiled Winter Park senior guard Austin Rivers' final appearance in the State Farm City of Palms Classic on Wednesday. Reinhardt and Johnson combined for 54 points as Mater Dei blew out Winter Park 84-66 in the third-place game at Bishop Verot. Reinhardt had 28 points and Johnson had 26, including a highlight dunk over Rivers in the third quarter. News Press 12/23