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By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Like most 16-year old boys, Aminu Mohammed likes to play Fortnite.
Like most Greenwood Laboratory students, he spends a good chunk of time studying and delving into an advanced curriculum.
And, like most amateur basketball players, Mohammed wants to play in the NBA.
But, there’s nothing typical about Mohammed’s path to becoming one of the best 2021 basketball prospects in the world.
The 6-foot-5 wing was a standout for historic program Boo Williams of the EYBL (Nike), even playing up an age division, with his dominance earning him an offer from Florida back in May.
???? ’21 Aminu Mohammed highlights at Southern Jam Fest #HGJamFest@BooWilliamsAAU pic.twitter.com/i1QiOtgcm2
— Hoop Group (@TheHoopGroup) May 23, 2018
Impressive, but not unexpected for Mohammed’s guardian and former high school coach Shawn Harmon. Harmon took in Mohammed in November 2015. This after taking in his older brother – current Missouri State forward Kabir Mohammed – in August 2013.
Although initially he wasn’t sure what he was getting himself into with the younger Mohammed, he quickly realized just how special he could be.
“I think he’s probably progressed faster than I thought, but I’m certainly not surprised at all by what he’s doing,” said Harmon. “I’ve coached the game and there are certain drills that I like to do, but you could just see it in him. He moved differently. He was skilled. But the best part was his work ethic. He never complained about the work and he always came back, ready to go. He might complain to someone else, but whenever it’s time to go, he’s ready to go. And he’s had it in him from Day One.”
But, it hasn’t always come easy for Mohammed. When he arrived in New York City as a gangly, 6-foot-1 teenager, he had a lot to learn about the game and his new home.
Like his brother, Aminu came to America in search of a brighter basketball future and – although he had played the game frequently in his native Nigeria – being in the states presented a new challenge on and off the court.
“It was hard,” said Mohammed. “I saw kids doing things that I could not do and in my mind I was just planning on being more physical than them, but I also knew that wouldn’t really work all the time. At times I wondered how I’d get there. Coming from Nigeria it was hard initially. You’re adjusting to school and basketball and everything else. You practice every day. I’m doing something every day.”
While Mohammed is here to earn an education – both academically and in hoops – he’s also found a bonus family in Harmon, wife Terisena and their three children (Demond, Darryl, Tonya), more than 6,000 miles from home.
Harmon is more than just a basketball coach in Mohammed’s life.
“He’s my guardian; my parents approved him to take care of me while I’m here,” said Mohammed. “He’s like family to me. He’s a disciplined person. He’s going to laugh at times… sometimes he’s not going to laugh at all. He’s going to call me out on stuff. He reads my game. He makes sure I play hard. He tells me what I need to hear. At home he’s the same way.”
But at home, it’s a very different Mohammed than the high-motor player that coaches across the nation will be lining up to see over the next three years.
The Mohammed Family in Nigeria featured five boys, so the Harmon residence is naturally quieter with both older Harmon boys being out of the house. The family moved here from the D.C. area in August, a move that the Harmons had been contemplating for some time, with a slower pace and the opportunity to watch Kabir’s games in Springfield.
His game will certainly standout in Springfield, but his personality will be a perfect fit.
“He has an old soul; I think we mesh well together because I’m an older guy,” said Harmon. “He’s real simple, he’s real basic. He doesn’t ask for a lot and doesn’t do a lot. He’s the youngest boy and his brothers protected him and didn’t really let him run around do the stuff other kids do. He stayed home with his mother a lot and I think that developed an older soul. He likes his movies, he likes video games and other than that it’s basketball. It’s not real complicated for him.”
On the court, it’s not very complicated either. Mohammed’s grind – under Harmon’s tutelage – has paid off.
Rivals ranks him as the No. 11 prospect in the 2021 class. ESPN has him one spot lower at No. 12 nationally. Prep Hoops has Mohammed at No. 18 and listed him as a Grassroots All-American for his summer performances, which includes a 37-point season-high against.
All three list Mohammed as a rare 5-star prospect.
Nice write up on 2021 Aminu Mohammed during Session 4 EYBL in Hampton ????BwslBasketball❗️ pic.twitter.com/KdtuOlf1Xw
— _coachB_ ™⛹???? (@_coachB__) May 28, 2018
Florida may be his only Power 5 offer as of now, but Connecticut, Louisville, Virginia and Maryland have all been in contact as well. Ultimately, Mohammed’s track is one that will almost allow him to pick any school in the country.
His offensive talent has never been questioned, but Mohammed’s calling card could be his dynamic potential defensively, thanks to a 6-foot-9 wingspan and freakish athleticism. He has a Ron Artest feel to his game, one that Harmon thinks could transform him as a player.
“What’s going to separate him is being a great defender,” said Harmon. “He has all the attributes to be a great defender and to change a game on the defensive end, as well as the offensive end. It’s going to be about his commitment to being a great defender and doing all the things it takes to be a great defender. I think that’ll be his next elevation.”
But for now, the 16-year old that seems wise beyond his years is focused on the daily work, which includes trying to get Greenwood back to the Elite Eight for the second time in the last three years.
Unsurprisingly, Mohammed is unconcerned with the hype and cares little about the offers.
For him, it continues to be about a journey he set out on nearly three years ago when he flew to New York City.
Does he miss his family in Nigeria? Of course.
However, the move to America and the hours upon hours in the gym and in the classroom have been about rewriting his future, one that could be rooted in elite-level basketball for the next two decades.
“They (Mohammed’s family) know I’m on a mission so they pray and support me,” said Mohammed. “I miss them, but I don’t want to miss them too much because it makes it hard. It’s about becoming a man and doing what it takes to make my future bright… It would be so great (to make it to the NBA). It hasn’t been easy so far. It’s been a long journey. A lot of people leave where I’m from in Nigeria and don’t come back. They’ll be excited to see one of their own make it. If I make it, I want to help people from where I’m from.”
“We don’t think about offers too much, we just kept focusing on the task in front of us and keep moving. Each offer is a blessing towards the hard work and dedication. It matters, but it’s all about the work.”
Atypical Aminu.
