10/8/2002 football Edit

More On Shakur!

Russ Blake & Mike Sullivan

Publisher

Mustafa Shakur, an outstanding 6-3 point guard from Friends Central High School in Philadelphia, PA, spoke to RivalsHoops.com in more detail about his decision tonight. Shakur committed to Arizona over North Carolina State in a 7 PM ET press conference.

But there was more to Shakur's decision besides the visit. "The players were so great there," Shakur said. "They were good to be around. They worked hard. They were together."

Shakur announced this evening that he had committed to Arizona over NC State. So basically Shakur sat on his decision for three weeks. When asked by RivalsHoops.com did he really sit on his decision this long, Mustafa responded: "Yes, I knew where I wanted to go after my visit to Arizona."

This is a tremendous pickup for the Arizona basketball program because Shakur is a solid leader and a player who can dominate the game from the backcourt position.

Shakur made his decision at a 7 p.m. E.S.T. at the Hunting Park Rec Center in Philadelphia. Shakur wore a Hunting Park AAU jersey when he made the announcement. "Anywhere I went I would have to work," Shakur said. "Anywhere I would I have gone I thought we could have won. The winning tradition at Arizona played a part but not a big part."

Shakur is a terrfic lead guard who is a great passer when he penetrates and also can clock you from the outside with is perimeter shooting. He is listed as the 28th best player in the 2003 class by RivalsHoops.com and rated the fourth best point guard on the high school level.

Shakur had given signs over the past week that he was leaning to Arizona over North Carolina State. But many thought the Wolfpack had a great shot because of the friendship Mustafa had formed with Julius Hodge.

But apparently, Arizona had forged a pretty big lead after Shakur visited the Wildcats' campus the weekend of September 13th. "I also had a wonderful visit at North Carolina State," Shakur said. "So I needed really another week to think about it. But I thought after the Arizona visit I would be going there. But I wanted to be sure."