Shabazz Muhammad injury update: UCLA guard will not require shoulder surgery

Howland emphasized that it would at least be a couple of weeks before Muhammad would be ready to play. UCLA’s season starts on Nov. 13 when the Bruins take on UC Irvine. If the four-week timetable is true, Muhammad could miss as many as four games. The current reports indicate the injury is a shoulder strain.

Muhammad is considered by many to be the top freshman for the 2012-13 college basketball season and a potential lottery pick candidate for the 2013 NBA Draft. The slasher from Las Vegas was the jewel of UCLA’s top-five recruiting class. The NCAA is investigating whether he is eligible to play, and Howland has yet to clear him.