Shabazz Muhammad selected No. 14 by Timberwolves in NBA draft
Shabazz Muhammad averaged 17.9 points at UCLA last season. (Porter Binks/SI)
The Timberwolves selected Shabazz Muhammad with the No. 14 pick in the NBA draft after acquiring the pick in a trade with the Jazz on Thursday. Here's a look at Muhammad and how he fits with Minnesota:
Bio: UCLA | Freshman | Shooting Guard/Small Forward
Vitals: 6-6, 222 pounds
2012-13 Statistics: 17.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 0.7 steals, 44.3 percent shooting in 32 games.
Strengths: No one questions Muhammad's ability to score. As a freshman, he led the Bruins in scoring, ranking fourth overall in the Pac-12. He has great size and strength for a shooting guard, the position he envisions himself playing in the NBA.
Weaknesses: Muhammad needs to round out his game. He displayed little-to-no playmaking skills in his only year at UCLA, finishing with just 27 assists. Lacking elite quickness, Muhammad overpowered opponents in college, a skill unlikely to translate to the NBA. He also needs to become more consistent on the defensive end.
What Scouts Say: "He takes a lot of criticism for a guy who scored 18 a game as a freshman in the Pac-12. He was very forthright in his interview, didn't shy away from answering any questions. What I want to know is, for a guy who is known to work out hard and train, and he has supposedly been trained by some of the best trainers on the West Coast, why the hell doesn't he have a right hand? I think he's gonna slide, I really do."
Team Fit:
