Catching Up With The Class Of 2012: SG Musa Abdul-Aleem

With USF's memorable 2011-12 behind us, we will take a look at the 4 (maybe 5) member Class of 2012. Let's first meet with Stan Heath's first verbal commitment, Georgia Perimeter College wing Musa Abdul-Aleem.

After being named the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association Freshman of the Year, big things were expected for Abdul-Aleem this season. Unfortunately the 6'5" Abdul-Aleem would not be able to match the 14 points and 5 rebounds he averaged for the Jaguars last year. Musa was diagnosed with a stress fracture in his left foot in November, and after careful consideration thought it was best to redshirt this season.

While he couldn't play this season, its actually good news for USF fans. Abdul-Aleem was originally set to only have 2 years of eligibility with USF, but like Jawanza Poland and Blake Nash, Musa will now have three years to play while in Tampa.

It was frustrating for Musa to sit out this season, but he knows that bigger things await him,

"It’s obviously a better move for me to have three years at South Florida and to get healthy. I’m not in a rush, I’m not pressured to get healthy, I’m pressured to perform at a level people expect me to perform at."

Musa will compete with South Alabama transfer Martino Brock, Jawanza Poland, Shaun Noriega, and JaVontae Hawkins for Hugh Robertson and possibly Victor Rudd's vacated minutes on the wing. This should be one of the better position battles to watch next season.