When five-star Dallas Prime Prep point guard Emmanuel Mudiay tweeted, “Sometimes u just have to shock the world,” on Aug. 19, the rumors that he was going to commit to play for Larry Brown at SMU were all but official.
On Saturday, Mudiay made those rumors a reality when he announced at the Under Armour Elite 24 game that he would in fact sign with the Mustangs.
“I’m going to attend SMU with coach Larry Brown. That’s where my heart’s at. I have real respect for (Brown),” Mudiay said during the live broadcast on ESPNU.
SMU fans were excited after Larry Brown and his staff landed McDonald’s All-American and five-star shooting guard Keith Frazier this Spring, but Brown just sent SMU fans into a frenzy by landing Mudiay.
Brown and his staff, including Mudiay’s main recruiter Ulric Maligi, has SMU on the rise because of their hard work on the recruiting trail, but it’s Brown’s experience that has enamored players like Mudiay to even consider SMU.
“Coach Brown is a legend. I’ve said before that I feel I can learn a lot from him because he has so much experience. There are a lot of great coaches out there, but he’s one of the best,” Mudiay said prior to the decision.
Not only is Mudiay’s decision based on Brown’s ability to develop him as a player, but also as a person.
“I want to do something different. The program is changing under Coach Brown and I really believe in him,” Mudiay said.
“When he talks with me it’s not only about basketball, it’s about life after the game: What are my interest outside the game and how I will be able to take care of myself and my family.”
Mudiay is the highest-rated player ever to commit to the Mustangs and his commitment could be another big step in getting the Mustangs to their first NCAA tournament since 1993.
With Mudiay’s commitment it could mean that other high-profile players will take an even longer look at signing with SMU and the Mustangs still have to sign a big man in the 2014 class.
SMU also added Mudiay’s brother, Jean Michael, to the class. The older Mudiay is a shooting guard at Western Texas College. Jean Michael Mudiay will have two years of eligibility remaining when he arrives on the Hilltop.
