Instant Impact: Mustafa Shakur

Philly star tabbed as Arizona's next great point guard

By J.M. Woodman, Special to SI.com

Mustafa Shakur Fr., Arizona Position: PG   Ht.: 6'3"  Wt.: 175 High School: Friends Central Hometown: Wynnewood, Pa. TheInsiders.com Ranking: No. 10 overall, No. 2 point guard SI.com's Impact Freshmen Brandon Bass LSU Tigers Luol Deng Duke Blue Devils Martin Iti Charlotte 49ers David Padgett Kansas Jayhawks Mustafa Shakur Arizona Wildcats Charlie Villanueva UConn Huskies Von Wafer FSU Seminoles

With the season yet to start, Mustafa Shakur already has received some valuable college playing time.

Prior to the start of his freshman year at the University of Arizona, Shakur was named to the Junior National Team that traveled to Thessaloniki, Greece, to participate in the Junior World Championships from July 10-20. Under the tutelage of Oregon head coach Ernie Kent, the 19-and-under team finished fifth in the competition.

But what can't be measured in a win-loss record are the lessons Shakur took from the experience of playing with an all-star team and many players who had completed one collegiate season.

"You have to have an open mind and try to learn the game," Shakur said. "You might think you're there talent wise, but you have to learn the mental things that will make the difference between 15 minutes and more time on the court."

The Hype

Even before he left home to play with the national team, Shakur enjoyed a busy offseason playing in all-star games. A McDonald's All-American, the accolades were well earned.

The 6-foot-3, 175-pound point guard was a standout in his home state of Pennsylvania. During his senior season at Friends Central High School, he averaged 26.8 points, 6.8 assists and 4.1 steals per game.

But perhaps more important than the numbers he put up was his floor presence.

"He has great leadership skills," Arizona head coach Lute Olson told the Tucson Citizen at the time of Shakur's signing. "Mustafa is as good as any point guard we've brought in here, and we've brought in some good ones. He's got a great attitude and is a team guy."

His Role

As humble as he is hardworking, Shakur won't make any lofty predictions for his season with the Wildcats, insisting he'll have only one mission in mind when he's in the game -- to help the team.

"I'm not worried about playing time," Shakur said. "I just know I'm going to have to work hard."

In the Wildcats' Blue-Red scrimmage on Nov. 5, Shakur teamed up with Isaiah Fox and Andre Iguodala on the Blue squad for a 99-93 win. Shakur scored 14 points and played all 40 minutes at the point.

The graduation of starting point guard Jason Gardner left a hole in the Arizona lineup, giving Shakur the opportunity to step into the open spot.

Even before fall practice began, Shakur's future as the next great Arizona point guard was being touted. For now, though, Shakur knows right where he'll fit in.

"The point guard has to lead the team," he says, "and I'll just try to provide a spark."