Media question origins of Shabazz’s Gucci backpack
By Daily Bruin Staff
Jan. 25, 2013 5:41 p.m.
MESA, Ariz. — UCLA freshman Shabazz Muhammad led the Bruins to an 84-73 win over No. 6 Arizona on Thursday but one media member chose to focus on his fashion sense rather than his 23-point performance.
Yahoo Sports’ Pat Forde made several comments about Muhammad’s Gucci backpack in his column from Thursday’s game at McKale Center.
“I’m just saying a college kid wearing Gucci catches the eye – especially when the college kid is Muhammad,” Forde wrote. “You might recall the November drama that surrounded the 6-foot-6 wing player’s college eligibility.”
Coach Ben Howland said the school’s compliance department was “handling it” and that he was “aware of the situation.”
The Bruin reached Muhammad for comment Friday at UCLA’s team hotel.
“It’s crazy but I’ll be good,” Muhammad said. “My parents got it for me.”
Muhammad’s sister Asia took to Twitter to defend her family, sending a number of tweets to Forde Thursday night.
“I read your condescending remark about (Shabazz) leaving with a Gucci backpack after beating Arizona,” she tweeted. “That was a birthday gift from myself and his mother. I have the original receipt if you need to verify that. (Shabazz) doesn’t need anything from anyone except his family. I understand you’re a very distinguished writer, congrats on that. But you’re barking up the wrong tree on this one.”
Muhammad leads UCLA (16-4, 5-1 Pac-12) in scoring, contributing 18.2 points per game.
