By Keenan Cummings
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia has one open basketball scholarship right now, and a possible transfer target has the Mountaineers on his short list, set to make his college selection.
Former Ohio State guard Luther Muhammad narrowed his list down to West Virginia, Seton Hall, UCLA, Arizona State and New Mexico with a decision expected as early as today.
Muhammad, at 6-foot-3 and 185 pounds, just wrapped up his sophomore season with the Buckeyes, averaging 7.0 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game while shooting 38% from the field. He shot 34.7% from 3 and 85% from the foul line, while playing 25 minutes per game.
He entered the transfer portal this month and the Mountaineers were a program that were immediately connected to him. That’s in large part because this isn’t the first time that the coaches in Morgantown have attempted to pursue the talented guard.
The New Jersey native listed WVU among his finalists during his initial high school recruitment in the 2018 class with Bob Huggins visiting multiple times prior to picking Ohio State as his college destination.
Now, the Mountaineers potentially have a second chance, although it’s unclear if there is a perceived favorite heading into his expected announcement.
One of the most talented transfer options available, Muhammad is respected for his toughness, energy and defensive abilities along the perimeter while possessing an underrated offensive skill set. That would mesh well with what Huggins wants out of his perimeter players.
A former Rivals.com 4-star prospect, Muhammad started 56 games for Ohio State during his two years with the program demonstrating not only a well-rounded skill set but experience as well.
Muhammad will have two years of eligibility remaining in his career and is expected to sit out during the 2020 season due to NCAA transfer rules. If he indeed would sit out, that could help address a need on the roster with the program set to lose Taz Sherman after next season is completed.
Muhammad would be quite a shot in the arm for the Mountaineers and it seems we’re not going to have to wait long to figure out where he will be playing next.
