AAU NOTES: Muhammad keeps drawing crowds

Going to watch Shabazz Muhammad and his Dream Vision 17s teammates play a basketball game is a little like going to opening night of a blockbuster movie.

Arrive early, or you might not get a seat.

On Friday night in Rancho High School’s auxiliary gym, every seat in the bleachers was filled for the California-based team’s game. Dozens of spectators, some wearing UNLV apparel, crowded the baseline near the gym doors to the point where a security guard had to ask them to move.

“It’s great. I’m blessed to be here in front of all these fans and competing,” said Muhammad, who will be a senior swingman at Bishop Gorman next season.

Muhammad, widely considered the nation’s top prospect in the class of 2012, scored 18 points to help Dream Vision to an 80-65 victory over Indiana Elite in pool play in the adidas Super 64 tournament. UNLV coach Dave Rice watched from the corner of the gym, and former Rebels great Reggie Theus sat in the stands.

This came after Muhammad scored 38 points in a packed main gym at Rancho earlier in the day, leading his team to an 87-80 victory over Atlanta Celtics 17s.

When his day was complete, a throng of media surrounded the 6-foot-6-inch shooting guard to inquire if he has made any progress narrowing his lengthy list of scholarship offers.

Muhammad stressed his recruitment remains open, but he did give a tidbit.

“If I had to take five (official) visits today, it’d probably be Kentucky, Duke, UCLA, Texas A&M and UNLV,” he said.

Asked about the Rebels, Muhammad said: “Everybody thinks they’re not in it, but they’re in it. I really like them, and I really like their coaches.”

WOOD IN TOWN — Chris Wood, who will transfer from Palmdale, Calif., to Findlay Prep for his junior year next season, scored 10 points for Southern California All-Stars in a 62-59 loss to Gateway Basketball (Mo.) in the adidas Super 64 at Rancho.

Wood, a 6-8 forward who committed to UNLV on July 1, said he was ecstatic to be in Las Vegas.

“Everything feels good,” he said. “It’s a great thing to be a part of UNLV, to be a Runnin’ Rebel. I can’t wait to get there.”

LOOK WHO — Aside from the usual plethora of recognizable college coaches, another well-known figure was at Rancho to watch Muhammad’s morning game: Washington Wizards guard John Wall, who wouldn’t mind seeing Muhammad choose Kentucky.

Los Angeles Clippers guard Eric Gordon also was in the building, to watch his Eric Gordon Central Stars (Ind.) defeat KC Pump N Run 17s (Kan.), 75-71.

LOCAL ACTION — The Las Vegas Prospects organization opened the adidas Super 64 in winning style.

The Prospects 17s dispatched Team Rose (Ill.) 85-82 at Rancho.

Meanwhile, Arbor View rising sophomore forward Diontae Jones scored 17 points to lead Prospects 15s to a 68-45 rout of Houston Hoopstars 2014 at Foothill. Arbor View forward Justin Burks scored 11 points for Las Vegas, and Eldorado center Jacob Hollingsworth added 10 points.

The only Prospects team to lose was Prospects 16s, which fell 76-53 to Double Pump 2013 (Calif.) at Centennial.