Rutgers-Newark Athletics

By Jim Hague

When it came time for Al-Don Muhammad to choose a school to play college basketball, the decision was an easy one in selecting Rutgers-Newark. 

After all, Muhammad was born and raised in nearby Livingston, played his high school basketball at Queen of Peace in nearby North Arlington. After high school, Muhammad went to prep school at Nia Prep in Newark and his mother currently resides in Kearny. It’s all in the general proximity of the R-N campus. 

“It’s all close to home,” Muhammad said. “It was important that my family could come see me play.” 

Then, there was another reason, the bond that the 6-foot-2 freshman guard developed with Scarlet Raiders head coach Joe Loughran. 

“Coach Loughran is about as good of a coach you can find, even on the (NCAA) Division I level,” Muhammad said. “That was another reason.” 

Loughran and former graduate assistant coach Nick Leonardelli both recruited Muhammad heavily out of Queen of Peace, where he was a 1,000-point scorer and led the Golden Griffins to a 21-3 record and the finals of the Bergen County Jamboree. 

“We liked his whole deal,” Loughran said. “He was a big guard who could handle the ball. He was very good defensively. He was physical. He really reminded me of a player we used to have, a guard named Donald Parrish. So we got to see him play a lot in high school and we really liked him.” 

Muhammad was considering offers from some small level Division I and some local Division II schools, but then went to Nia Prep instead, ending up at R-N. 

“Coach Loughran knows how to work with players and he really has a lot of faith in me,” Muhammad said. “I believe in what he says.” 

While Muhammad is still learning the tricks of the trade of college basketball, averaging just five points per game in the early going, Loughran has seen some positive moments thus far. 

“He’s definitely going through some of the adjustments that a freshman has to go through,” Loughran said. “He’s beginning to figure things out that he can’t do some of the things here that he did in high school. He is a physical player, so he’s handling the physical part, but there are other things that for most freshmen take time. But he’s been really solid as a freshman.” 

Part of Muhammad’s initiation to college basketball has been helped by playing with and against senior Tim Smith every day in practice. Smith is similar in size and strength, so the two can really go after each other. 

“They’re banging heads every day and Tim really pushes Al,” Loughran said. “I think it helps Al a great deal. He’s learning a lot from Tim.” 

“Tim really does everything he can to help me,” Muhammad said. “He pulls me aside and tells me what to do. It’s been a huge help. I also see Tim working hard every day, so it makes me want to work hard as well. I really think we have a good connection and that helps a lot.”
Muhammad has also been working diligently on improving his shooting range and touch. In high school, Muhammad was strictly a slashing penetrator with a short range jumper. Now, he’s worked long hours to develop a shot from 3-point range and it’s paid off in the early going, connecting on 50 percent (4-of-8) from the arc. 

“That was my biggest concern coming in,” Muhammad said. “I knew I had to shoot the ball better. But I spent a lot of long hours in the gym with Coach Loughran. I changed my release a little and that’s helped me get a little more arch in the shot. I really think it’s helped me a lot.”
Muhammad has also become a better free throw shooter as well. 

“I’ve learned to just relax at the line,” Muhammad said. “I’m definitely more confident as a shooter. Physically, I knew I could do it. I just had to do the little things. I had to get the right mental approach as well.” 

Muhammad is undecided about a course of study at Rutgers-Newark. He may delve into social work, but he’s still not sure. But for now, he knows he’s made the right choice staying close to his natural surroundings. 

“It’s definitely going to be a good place for me,” Muhammad said. 

“He’s doing what we expected of him right now,” Loughran said. “I definitely think he feels comfortable here. He’s not worried about being far from home. He’s physically going to challenge you. It’s up to us to challenge him. He’s finding himself more comfortable every day. And as he learns more and grows, he’s going to become better and better.” 

The progression may get to the point where Loughran sees Muhammad in the same backcourt with sophomore Greg Moore in the future. 

“They’re going to solidify our backcourt,” Loughran said. “I like what the future looks like.” 

And for that matter, the present with freshman sensation Al-Don Muhammad in tow, staying close to his roots.