Jihad Muhammad

Visited campus Apr 9, 2004, signed Apr 14, 2004.

10/14/04: Listed as the 7th best player in his JUCO class - Bob Gibbons' All-Star Sports Report

06/13/04: "UC also has three incoming recruits - point guard Jihad Muhammad, forward Roy Bright and guard Vincent Banks. "I was with Jihad quite awhile this morning," said Scott Gernander, Muhammad's coach at San Jacinto (Texas) Junior College. "Coach Kennedy talked to him and he's fine with it [the suspension of Huggs]. He likes Coach Huggins. He's still excited about it. I think the way he looks at it, by the time he gets there in the fall, I don't think it's something that will affect him." - Enquirer.com

06/09/04: Muhammad is mentioned in the latest Slam Magazine as one of the top 10 Juco players in the country. The blurb includes two paragraphs and a picture.

05/17/04: Listed as the 5th best Juco in his class. - PrepStars.com

05/12/04: Named Muhammad to the First Team JuCo A-A squad. - Basketball Times

04/15/04: I dont know the actual date of this interview, but some of it was obviously after Muhammad signed with Cincinnati.

Jihad Muhammad interview (updated)
You wanted it, here it is, Jihad Muhammad, the 1,000pt scorer for Plainfield HS and one of its all-time greats submitted this interview via Email to me for everyone to enjoy. Jihad in the coming weeks will sign with a Division 1 school after leading San Jacinto to the championship game last season, #2 nationally rank and deep again this year. Jihad has also been named Regional MVP and a 1st team all-american Juco.

1. What do you feel are your strengths/weaknesses on the court?
JM: Strengths maybe is my love for the game. Weakness lack of knowledge of the game.

2. Who do you feel is your team's toughest opponent?
JM: Toughest opponent Lon Morris because we lost to them twice

3. What is your review of your season? What could you have done better?
JM: That the season was over to soon. Maybe worked harder in practice and got the freshman ready for war.

4. What teammate do your respect the most both on and off the court/ Why?
JM: I respect all my teammates equally.

5. Whether it'd be a friend or family member etc., who do you feel is your number one fan/ Why?
JM: Really its three my two sisters and moms because they been with me through it all.

6. What is your favorite game or moment of the season thus far?
JM: My favorite game was my last home game at San Jacinto.

7. What's your least favorite game or moment of the season thus far?
JM: When we lost in the second round of postseason.

8. Looking back, what was your favorite High School Basketball moment?
JM: When Andre and I both scored our 1000pts in the same night.

9. Have you had the opportunity to go watch any games at your old school?
JM: Yes, I caught the game at the Dunn. (Plainfield beat Passic Tech in that game to win the North Group 4 title

10.What advice would you give the players on your old H.S. team?
JM: The advice I would give to them is STUDY!!!

11. In terms of your basketball career, where do you see yourself up to five years from now?
JM: Five years I hope to see myself doing this for a living making ball my 9to5

12. What advice would you give a kid in a similar situation you was coming out of HS? (being under-recruited)
JM: Basically just to stay hungry your time is going to come, and everything happens for a reason so...get a grip!

(2 more questions)

TJ: What made you decide to attend Cincy instead of Baylor?
JM: Bone u killing me baby. I picked Cincy because its not to close and not to far from home.

TJ: Did you get the chance to speak to Coach Huggins on your visit? if so, what did he tell you?
JM: Yes, I spoke to Huggins and he said they needed a point guard.
- www.eteamz.com/watchungconference


04/15/04: "By last January, the University of Cincinnati coaching staff knew it would have to recruit a point guard for 2004-05, with Nick Williams struggling to make the adjustment from shooting guard to the point and Chadd Moore hindered by a sore back. "A lot of things you can do by committee," said Andy Kennedy, UC's recruiting coordinator. "But playing point guard by committee is not very advantageous."

The Bearcats took a step Wednesday toward solving their problem when they received a signed letter-of-intent from 5-foot-11 point guard Jihad Muhammad from San Jacinto (Texas) Junior College.

Muhammad, a second-team junior-college All-American, averaged 16.8 points and 5.6 assists last season and made 2.5 3-pointers per game. "He'll help us get into our offense," said UC coach Bob Huggins. "He's got good ball skills, he's strong with the ball and I think he can guard the ball. He's a much more athletic Taron Barker. He takes care of the ball."

The Sporting News ranks Muhammad as the top junior-college point guard in the country. Junior-college recruiting analyst Rick Ball said Muhammad is one of the top five junior-college point guards in the country. "He's got a nice, simple game," Ball said. "He's not as fancy as some guards they've had in the past. He does what's necessary without overdoing it. If he's open for the three, he'll take it. But he does look to pass first. He tries to play the game the easy way." By signing with UC, Muhammad, from Plainfield, N.J., reneged on an oral commitment he made to Baylor during the Christmas holidays.

Muhammad shoots 35 percent from 3-point range and his free-throw percentage of just under 86 percent will enable UC to keep the ball in his hands in the last few minutes of close games. "We knew we had to go out and get somebody who was a natural one," Kennedy said. "His ability to penetrate because of his quickness off the dribble is going to free up some guys off the wings."

Muhammad's presence will also allow Williams to return to his natural position of shooting guard and free forwards James White and Armein Kirkland from bringing the ball up court, which both took turns doing near the end of last season. Kennedy said Williams will spell Muhammad at point guard, but he will now primarily be a scorer." - Enquirer.com

04/14/04: "Jihad Muhammad, a 5-11, 180-pound point guard from San Jacinto Junior College in Texas, has signed a national letter of intent to play basketball at the University of Cincinnati, head coach Bob Huggins announced today. A native of Plainfield, N.J., Muhammad earned second team NJCAA All-American honors and was the Region XIV Player of the Year after averaging 16.8 points and 5.6 assists this past season while leading San Jacinto to a 27-4 record. He also averaged 2.5 three-pointers per game and shot 86 percent from the free throw line. “Jihad will give us a true point guard which will enable us to get into our offense, and he will be the point person for us defensively because he can guard the ball,” said Huggins. “Jihad is similar to some of our outstanding point guards in the past in that he is a scoring point guard.”

As a freshman two years ago, Muhammad averaged a team-best 16.5 points per game while earning the Small Player Award (6-0 and under) at the National Tournament after leading San Jacinto to the national championship game. Muhammad was ranked the top junior college point guard this past season by The Sporting News and No. 2 by Hoopmasters.com. Muhammad joins fellow newcomers Vincent Banks (Atlanta, Ga./Laurinburg (N.C.) Prep) and Roy Bright (Durham, N.C./Mt. Zion Academy), both freshmen, as new additions to the Bearcat roster for next season." - UCBearcats.com


04/14/04: "Cincinnati has addressed its point guard needs, getting a pledge from San Jacinto (TX) JC 6-0 PG Jihad Muhammad. Muhammad had committed to Baylor earlier in the year, but he reconsidered and chose the Bearcats after an official visit. Muhammad has been one of the nation's most effective juco point guards the past two years. He first burst onto the scene at the junior college national tournament last March, when he drilled numerous three-pointers and generally made all the right plays -- scoring, passing and on defense -- in the clutch." - www.PrepStars.com

04/14/04: "The University of Cincinnati appears poised to land a junior college point guard who might help plug the gaping hole in the Bearcats' offense. Jihad Muhammad, from Plainfield, N.J., and San Jacinto (Tex.) Junior College, visited the UC campus last weekend and is expected to sign a letter-of-intent with the Bearcats today, the first day of the late signing period. "He had a very good visit up to Cincinnati," San Jacinto coach Scott Gernander said Tuesday. "He seemed to enjoy it. I talked to him today and asked what he was going to do and he said he was going to sign with Cincinnati."

Muhammad, 6-foot, 180 pounds, averaged 16.8 points and 5.6 assists this past season. As a freshman, he led San Jacinto to the junior college national championship game. He made an oral commitment to Baylor near the end of last year, but decided to visit UC after coach Bob Huggins asked Gernander about him. NCAA rules prohibit coaches from commenting publicly about a recruit until he signs a letter-of-intent.

UC, which has two scholarships available for next year, is not expected to sign anyone else today. The late signing period runs through May 19. "There are still some thoughts about what we may or may not do," said Andy Kennedy, UC's recruiting coordinator. "We're still recruiting players for the class of 2004. If we use the last one, it would be on an interior player."

UC signed two players to letters-of-intent last fall. Roy Bright, a 6-6 forward Mt. Zion (N.C.) Christian, was ranked No. 35 among high school seniors by Clark Francis of the Hoop Scoop recruiting service.

Vincent Banks, a 6-2 shooting guard from Laurinburg (N.C.) Institute, was ranked No. 11 among prep school players by Francis. Muhammad will have the inside track as the Bearcats' starting point guard next season.



04/09/04: "What Muhammad does best is penetrate, and he has tremendous scoring "spurtability" for a small guard. While he's far from a pure point guard, he's clearly a lead guard with scoring tools." - www.JucoJunction.com

04/09/04: The University of Cincinnati, looking to shore up its point guard position, has focused its attention on 6-foot Jihad Muhammad from San Jacinto (Texas) Junior College. Muhammad, who led San Jacinto to the junior college national championship game in 2003, is expected to arrive in Cincinnati today to make an official recruiting visit. Originally from Plainfield, N.J., Muhammad averaged 16.8 points and 5.6 assists this past season and was named the most valuable player of his region.

Muhammad made an oral commitment to Baylor around Christmas, but that didn't stop other coaches, including UC's Bob Huggins, from calling San Jacinto coach Scott Gernander to inquire about him. "I just mentioned to Jihad that (Huggins) called and it piqued his interest," Gernander said. "He's very interested."

Gernander said UC is the only school Muhammad is visiting and that he believes Muhammad will choose between the Bearcats and Baylor, possibly as soon as this weekend.

UC has struggled to find a capable point guard ever since Steve Logan completed his eligibility in 2002. Last year, the coaching staff tried to convert junior college transfer Nick Williams, a natural shooting guard, to the point, but Williams never seemed comfortable in that role.

By the end of the season, Armein Kirkland and James White were sharing the position. "(Muhammad) is more of a scoring point guard," Gernander said. "He's the kind who looks for his shot. With his quickness, he's got the ability to create space and get his shot. He hits big shots." - Enquirer.com (4 to 5)

03/20/04: "Jihad Muhammad, the 5'11, 180 pound preseason All American point guard from that squad, lead his team in average scoring(16.8), assists(4.2), three pointers made(2.5), steals(1), and also free throw percentage(85.6%). – www.RivalsHoops.com (3 to 4)

03/16/04: San Jacinto College guard Jihad Muhammad was voted Region XIV Player of the Year in a vote by league basketball coaches. Muhammad helped the Ravens to a 27-4 record and at 19-3 shared first place with Lon Morris, who beat Paris 58-55 in the region final. Lon Morris' Dale Dotson was selected the region's top coach.

As a freshman in 2002-03, the 6-0 Muhammad from Plainfield, N.J., was a major reason the Ravens reached the national championship game. As a sophomore this season, Muhammad averaged 16.8 points and 4.2 assists and was known for his clutch long-range shooting. "For two years he's meant a lot to us," said San Jacinto coach Scott Gernander. "He carried us last year to the finals. If we had won the championship, he would have been the tournament's most valuable player. I'm happy to see Jihad win it. He's hit a lot of big shots for us."

Gernander said Muhammad wasn't highly recruited out of high school. The Ravens coaching staff spotted Muhammad at a showcase event in New Jersey. Muhammad (verbally) committed to Baylor but Cincinnati, among others, is pursuing Muhammad. – Houston Chronicle

03/10/04: "Jihad Muhammad sank a pair of free throws with five seconds left in overtime as San Jacinto (TX), ranked #3 nationally, gained a share of the Region XIV regular-season title by edging Blinn (TX), 93-91. Muhammad ended with 12 points for San Jac after scoring a game-high 23 in an earlier 80-70 victory against Navarro (TX)." - NYC NJ Hoops

02/07/04: "Jihad Muhammad, San Jacinto's explosive point guard, has (verbally) committed to Baylor. A 6-foot sophomore from Plainfield, N.J., Muhammad averaged a team-high 16.5 points last season in guiding the Ravens to the national championship game and has helped the Ravens to a No. 1 ranking this season. "There's no question, had we won the national championship he would have been the MVP," San Jacinto coach Scott Gernander said. Muhammad possess exceptional quickness and has long range on his jump shot. "Like a lot of good players, when Jihad takes a bad shot you want to pull your hair out," Gernander said. "But he can also make the big play for you." - Houston Chronicle

01/31/04: "Jihad Muhammad scored eight straight points to break a 69-69 deadlock and lift #1 San Jacinto (TX) to a 95-83 triumph at Tyler (TX). Muhammad ended with 5 three-pointers and a game-high 31 points. Later in the week, he had another game-high with 19 points and 7 assists while leading the Ravens (17-1) to a 99-86 triumph versus Panola (TX)." - NYC NJ Hoops.com


12/20/03: This quick and explosive point burst onto national scene at the NJCAA Nationals last spring. Jihad was selected first team All-Region, first team All-Tournament in Region XIV, All-Tournament at the National Tournament, as well as winning the Small Player Award (6-0 and under) during the National Tournament. He has exceptional quickness and speed, with the ability to shoot well from long range and is a good passer and aggressive defender.

Muhammad was ranked as the #1 junior college point guard by Rick Ball in the Sporting News Pre-Season Yearbook and the #2 junior college point guard by Hoopmasters.com expert Van Coleman in the Lindy College Basketball Pre-Season Magazine. Hoopmasters.com also ranks Muhammad as the nation's 12th best Junior College prospect in the 2004 class." - www.HoopMasters.com


12/18/03: "San Jacinto College point guard Jihad Muhammad has made a verbal commitment to play for the Baylor men's basketball team. Muhammad, a 6-0 sophomore, is considered one of the top junior college point guards in the country. Last year, he averaged 16.5 points as San Jacinto reached the NJCAA championship game.

Muhammad said he was impressed by Baylor coach Scott Drew and his staff, and isn't concerned about the basketball program's two-year probation since the postseason ban is only for this season. "I like it at Baylor because the coaching staff is family-oriented," Muhammad said. "But part of my decision is based on the chance to play quickly."

Muhammad, who plans to sign with Baylor during the NCAA spring signing period in April, is averaging 12.1 points for this year's San Jacinto squad that is 12-0 and ranked No. 1 in the nation. Muhammad is a native of Plainfield, N.J. "Jihad has gotten some good experience here because he's played for a national championship," said San Jacinto coach Scott Gernander. "He's a good outside shooter who can also get to the basket. He's small, but very quick. " - Waco Tribune

http://www.sjcd.cc.tx.us/district/sports/ravens/images/5.jpg

09/11/03: "Jihad Muhammad, an electric 5-11, 160 pound scoring point guard from San Jacinto, is being surprisingly under-recruited this fall. JUCO Junction caught up with San Jac Asst. Coach Scott Horstman, and he told us that Georgia recently inquired about the high scoring floor general. "If I am a mid to high major Division I program looking for a point guard, I would be all over him," Horstman said. "He will have two years of experience, he's a good student and the type of kid you would want to have." - www.JucoJunction.com

Fall 2003: Jihad averaged a team high 16.5 points last season and helped guide the Ravens to the national championship game. He was selected first team All-Region, first team All-Tournament in Region XIV, All-Tournament at the National Tournament, as well as winning the Small Player Award (6´ and under) during the National Tournament. Jihad had an outstanding second half of the season and was instrumental in the Ravens late season tournament surge. He has exceptional quickness and speed, with the ability to shoot well from long range and should be one of the top rated point guards in the nation.” – San Jacinto Junior College website