NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. — Emmanuel Mudiay, a top-five basketball player in the Class of 2014, currently attends Dallas Prime Prep Academy — the school founded by former NFL star Deion Sanders — but it remains unclear how the school’s current situation will impact his status going forward.
Two incoming college freshman who attended Prime Prep — Jordan Mickey (LSU) and Karviar Shepherd (TCU) — were declared non-qualifiers by the NCAA, ESPN.com reported Thursday.
“I’m not speaking on that right now,” Stephane Mudiay, Emmanuel’s brother, told SNY.tv Friday. “Just focused on the recruitment process and finishing the summer strong.”
He added: “The Prime Prep stuff doesn’t mean anything.”
According to ESPN.com, Prime Prep is approved as a “Regular Instructional Open Enrollment Charter” according to the Texas Education Agency’s website.
Speaking of Mickey and Shepherd, NCAA sources told SNY.tv, “They’re not cleared yet but it’s early in the process. We’re just getting started with this one.”
Sanders took to Twitter Thursday top defend the two players.
“Please don’t jump [to] any conclusions regarding 2 graduating seniors from PrimePrep whom received college scholarships. Time will tell. Truth,” he Tweeted.
Sanders added: “These kids were great students when they came to PrimePrep and left better student athletes. They’ve never had academic problems ever. Truth”
The 6-foot-4 Mudiay is being recruited by some of the top programs in the nation, including Kentucky, Baylor, SMU, Arizona and N.C. State.
He is one of two point guards in the class — along with Minnesota’s Tyus Jones — to hold a scholarship offer from Kentucky.
Kentucky coach John Calipari, SMU’s Larry Brown and Baylor’s Scott Drew were among those watching Mudiay Wednesday at the Reebok Breakout Classic in Philadelphia.
Next week, Mudiay will suit up with the West team at the Nike Global Challenge in Washington, D.C., alongside Stanley Johnson, Kameron Chatman, Ivan Raab, Kelly Oubre, Justise Winslow and others.
Elijah Thomas, a 6-9 2015 forward from Prime Prep, is also being recruited at the highest levels and is currently playing with Team Texas Elite at the Peach Jam.
