Hoops: Michigan will host 2014 guard this weekend

Michigan will host 2014 guard Muhammad-Ali Abdur Rahkman of Allentown, Penn., Central Catholic for an official visit this weekend in its search for another guard. The talented, 6-4 combo guard is starting to pick up more interest from high majors and will sign somewhere in the coming weeks.

The Lehigh Valley Morning Call calls Rahkman a selfless player and gifted scorer in this 2013 article. He was the newspaper's 2013 Player of the Year after helping to lead the Vikings to a 24-4 record, their third straight District 11 Class 3A title, an appearance in the Lehigh Valley Conference tournament for the first time since 2008 and a No. 10 ranking among 3A teams in the state.

"Muhammad is a very cerebral kid," Dawub Abdur-Rahkman, his father, said. "He is what I'd call an observer. He's inclined to watch first before he talks. He is the kind of kid who will determine what the environment is like, what's going on around him, and then try to find his way."

He proved it after he became the 10th player in District 11 boys basketball history to reach the 2,000-point mark for a career during Central Catholic's 80-52 rout of Saucon Valley in the district Class AAA quarterfinals in February. Abdur-Rahkman scored 28 points, the last coming on a foul shot with 2:42 remaining to give him 2,000 right on the number.

"Yes, I'm happy to get it over with," said Abdur-Rahkman, who also had 14 rebounds and four assists. "It's more of a relief, really. I wanted to get past this so we can concentrate on what's really important, the team."

He averaged 21 points, six rebounds and four assists per game this year.

From a 2012 Rivals.com article:

"A low-key, under the radar guard with Blue Chips AAU, Abdur Rahkman is drawing a lot of attention around the East Coast. While he has decided to leave Allentown Central Catholic in order to pursue other opportunities during his junior year, he is bound to breakout.

"Abdur Rahkman can get to the basket, as well as drive and kick. With good size and the ability to defend multiple positions on the court, he has the opportunity to play at a higher level than most would assume. He needs to gain a solid foundation in his jumper and play harder without the rock in his possession."

Abdur-Rahkman was a Pennsylvania all-state selection as both a freshman and a sophomore. Rivals.com analyst Eric Bossi caught him during AAU ball last summer playing with Team Final.

"I liked his length, and it looked like he could create some offense but was a little weak and I had a question about his shot," he said. "I wrote down, 'possible mid major type.'

"Then, I found a game from his senior season online. In that game it looks like he can handle a bit, is fairly athletic and can really shoot the ball. I think he has visited Rice already. I'm trying to get more information and more film. The game I was able to find he looked pretty good. I'm kind of surprised he hasn't been gobbled up by an A-10 team already based on the one recent game film I've been able to see."

Watch for more on Rahkman in the days to come.