Two of the best sophomores in America play their high school basketball in the state of Nevada, but that has not stopped Memphis from pursuing Winston Shepard ’12 and Shabazz Muhammad ’12. Shepard and Muhammad teamed up with Dream Vision California this weekend at the Bob Gibbons Tournament of Champions in North Carolina, and took some time to discuss their recruitment with Memphis Roar.

Shepard, a 6’7 wing from Findlay Prep (NV), is graded as a 93 prospect by ESPNU's Scouts, Inc. Unfortunately Shepard was unable to show why he is so highly regarded while in the Tar Heel State, as he suffered a badly sprained ankle during his team’s second game, a loss to the Smyrna Stars in pool play. Shepard said that he is “done for probably about two, three weeks” due to the injury. While Dream Vision would go on to win its pool anyway, the squad forfeited its Select Playoffs first round game due to late arrival.

Memphis, Texas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas A&M, Kansas, Arizona, Arizona State, UNLV, Kentucky, North Carolina, Louisville, West Virginia, Syracuse, UConn, Georgetown, UCLA, and USC comprised Shepard’s long college list. He added that there are “probably a few others, but those are the main ones.” Shepard said that he has offers from all of the schools listed except for UK, UNC, Syracuse, UConn, Georgetown, and UCLA.

“Well, the top eight in no particular order is Texas, Memphis, Kansas, Kentucky, West Virginia, Syracuse, UNLV, and Oklahoma,” Shepard said.

To read the full article—it is free to all—that I wrote on Winston Shepard and Shabazz Muhammad for MemphisRoar, click Here. It also includes info on Findlay Prep next year as well as Muhammad's list and his comments on the chance the two go to school togerther.