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UCLA freshman Shabazz Muhammad will not travel with team to China as NCAA continues investigation

Shabazz Muhammad

West’s Shabazz Muhammad (15), from Las Vegas, dunks during the second half of the McDonald’s All-American boys’ basketball game against the East squad Wednesday, March 28, 2012, in Chicago. The West won 106-102 with Muhammad leading all scorers with 21 points. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

AP

UCLA freshman Shabazz Muhammad will not make a scheduled overseas trip to China with the Bruins this month as the NCAA continues to investigate his connections to two financial planners that could impact his amateur status and eligibility at UCLA, Tracy Pierson of Scout.com is reporting.

CBSSports.com first brought to light that the NCAA was investigating Muhammad and alleged financial dealings involving financial planners Ken Kavanagh and Benjamin Lincoln in relation to Muhammad’s unofficial visits and his former AAU team, Dream Vision Foundation.

Muhammad will remain in California when the team leaves for China on Aug. 23. He also, along with fellow top recruit Kyle Anderson, is working back from an injury suffered during the off-season.

UCLA begins its three-game swing in the Far East with a game at Tsinghua University on Aug. 25. The Bruins will then take on Shanghai Jiao Tong University on Aug. 27 before finishing out their trip with a game against the Shanghai Sharks, a professional team, on Aug. 28.

Muhammad, a dynamic scorer, is part of what is possibly the best recruiting class in the country, alongside the Top-5 prospect Anderson of Jersey City, N.J., Jordan Adams of powerhouse Oak Hill Academy (Va.), and big man Tony Parker.

UCLA finished last season with an overall record of 19-14 overall this past season, including 11-7 in the Pac-12.

Daniel Martin is a writer and editor at JohnnyJungle.com, covering St. John’s. You can find him on Twitter:@DanielJMartin_