Gorman’s Muhammad commits to San Jose State

Bishop Gorman senior guard Rashad Muhammad made an oral commitment to play basketball at San Jose State after visiting the school last weekend.

Muhammad is expected to sign his national letter of intent with the Spartans this week.

“I think he can be a cornerstone for San Jose State as it moves into a new conference and tries to improve its program,” Gorman coach Grant Rice said Monday.

San Jose State is set to join the Mountain West this fall after 17 seasons in the Western Athletic Conference.

The Spartans finished 9-20 in 2012-13, costing coach George Nessman his job after eight seasons. Former Boise State assistant Dave Wojcik was hired March 30 to try to turn around a program with one winning season since 1994.

Muhammad is one of several players expected to sign with San Jose State before the signing period ends May 15, and he could see significant playing time as a freshman.

Five players have departed the program since the end of the season, and the roster on the school’s website currently lists only five players, including one walk-on.

“Any time you’re one of the first recruits for a new coach, it’s a special thing,” Rice said. “You still have to go out and perform and earn everything, but every coach appreciates the guys who commit first.”

Muhammad chose the Spartans over Wyoming. He also considered Cal State Fullerton, San Diego and Utah State.

The 6-foot-5-inch Muhammad averaged 19.1 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists as a senior and was a second-team all-state selection after helping the Gaels capture the Division I state title.

“He’s excited to be going to school there,” Rice said. “Especially since San Jose State is coming into the Mountain West and he will play in Las Vegas in the regular season and in the conference tournament, it seems like a really good fit.”