Jan. 13, 2005
SAN DIEGO - Mohamed Abukar, a 6-10, 210-pound sophomore forward has transferred from Florida to San Diego State and will be eligible to play for the Aztecs in December, 2005, head coach Steve Fisher announced Thursday. A native of San Diego, Abukar will be able to play next December as a junior and will attend classes at San Diego State when the Spring semester begins on Jan. 24.
Abukar played in seven games for the Gators this season, averaging 10.3 minutes, 5.0 points, and 1.4 rebounds on a team that has been ranked as high as 19th nationally. Earlier this season he connected on 8-of-10 shots and scored a career-high 22 points in 18 minutes against Florida A&M. As a freshman, he played in 30 games and averaged 2.7 points and 2.1 rebounds on a team that finished 20-11 and advanced to the NCAA Tournament.
Abukar started practicing with San Diego State on Thursday.
"We are extremely pleased that Mohamed is enrolled at San Diego State and is now a member of the basketball program," Fisher said. "He is a committed student and an outstanding basketball player that will fit in well with the team, faculty and students. We are anxious to have him as a practice player this season and look forward to him contributing in games next season."
Abukar attended Rancho Bernardo High, where he averaged 28.7 points and 12.7 rebounds as a senior. He connected on over 45 percent of his attempts from three-point range in helping lead his high school to a number six national ranking. He was one of only three high school players named to the 2002 USA Junior National team, which featured Carmelo Anthony and Dee Brown.
Abukar, coupled with the recruits San Diego State signed in November, helps elevate an already highly touted recruiting class into one of the nation's best. HoopScoop currently has San Diego State's 2005 class rated as the 19th best in the nation.