Mudiay going after Turner

[LA_Mustang]

If this doesn't get you excited about SMU hoops, nothing will...


Prime Prep (Dallas) basketball star Emmanuel Mudiay is back with his latest blog.

Emmanuel Mudiay is ranked No. 5 in the ESPN 100 and some feel he's a probable top five pick in the 2015 NBA Draft. Mudiay, a senior point guard at Prime Prep (Dallas) and an SMU commit, has agreed to give USA TODAY HSS exclusive access into his world by chronicling everything from intimate details about his recruitment to his everyday life in a blog.

Hey, hey ... what's up people!

Well, by now, most of you know that I'm no longer a free agent! I'm finally done with the recruiting process. I picked SMU during the Elite 24, and I'm so happy to have that all behind me.

It was tough eliminating all of those other great schools, but I prayed about it and I really felt like SMU was the best place for me to develop as a player.

It's been such a relief to have it all behind me. In the Elite 24 game, the first half I was playing sorry because that announcement was on my mind and it's a heavy pressure to carry. Then when I announced at halftime everything was gone and I was just ready to hoop. I played way better in the second half.

It was funny when I called Coach (Larry) Brown to let him know that I was coming he was really happy. He was like, "I can't believe that this is true." He probably thought I was gonna go to a Kentucky or someplace like that in the end, but I knew that SMU was the school for me.

He just talked to me about being the best. He said that starts with outworking everyone and he talked to me about how much it means to the city and the school for me to come there. It was a really good talk. There's no doubt in my mind that we'll be in a position to compete for a national championship from day one.

Of course I love the fact that I'll be able to play with my brother (Jean-Michael Mudiay)! I've only played with him in open gym and so it'll be fun to play on this level with him. He's the most athletic one in the family so it'll be fun to throw him lobs in games! Plus, my mom and my older brother will be at all the games. It's perfect!

Now I'm trying to get some top players to come with me to SMU and my top target is Myles Turner. I'm definitely pretty confident that he'll join me because when we were talking about playing before I committed he didn't know I was gonna go to SMU.

I mean, I think it's a perfect fit for both of us since we're already at the house. I know he's seriously considering us now. That's big.

I was messing with Cliff (Alexander) the other day too - telling him that he needs to put SMU on the list and he said they hadn't been talking to him. I told the coaches to get on him so we'll see what happens.

It's probably too late with him, but you never know. We've got a great situation over here with a legendary coach so...

I think the hardest part of committing is letting the other coaches know that you won't be coming to their school. My brother helped me out with that, but I texted some of the coaches and just thanked them for the opportunity. It was definitely different. I mean none of us, at this age, have ever been in a situation where a grownup says that they need you for something and their job depends on it.

That's a crazy dynamic. Plus, you're cutting a close relationship that you've had for years. All of the coaches understood though.

I really respect the coaches from Baylor because they came to the school recently recruiting one of my teammates and we still had the same relationship as we did when they were recruiting me. Same for Arizona.

The season is right around the corner and I can't wait for it to get here.

I'm still confident in our team; I'd never doubt my team or not have confidence in them. We won't be as big as some other teams, but we've got a lot of talented players and we'll get it done.

I'm loving school right now because it's my senior year. It's cool being the leader at the school because you're the older guy, ya know.

I like all of my classes too, but I'm loving my theatre/arts class so far!

I'm learning how to act! It's crazy because I'm learning techniques and stuff like that. I didn't know it was as hard to act as it is. I've got a whole new respect for actors and actresses.

We're trying to figure out which play we're gonna act out for the class. It's gonna be one of the Shakespeare plays, which is SO not me, but we'll see if my teacher gives me a lead role. I'll keep y'all posted on that.

Of course everyone knows that Drake dropped recently and I haven't heard it all yet, but I've heard it's pretty good. Drake's kind of an emotional dude, ya know, that's his style. I've heard it's making a lot dudes go back to their ex's; that was pretty funny!

OK people, I've gotta get ready to roll out, but thanks for reading and check back soon for my next blog.

PONY UP!

Don't forget to follow Emmanuel Mudiay on Twitter: @EMudiay7

[redpony]

Hey EM thanks for coming to the hilltop. We look forward to seeing you in a mustang uni and leading us forward to the top.

[smusic 00]

Great blog! Wow, so excited for him to get here!!

[RGV Pony]

At first I thought this thread was going to be about RG rather than Myles

[mrydel]

yeah

[smusportspage]

Absolutely perfect! Love it!!

[blackoutpony]

At first I thought this thread was going to be about RG rather than Myles

Hahahahahaha If that were to happen, I'd love EM more than I already do

[Pony ^]

Great job EM

[StallionsModelT]

This kid is going to be our saving grace.

[SMU89]

Greatness

[Comet]

That was actually really good! If the kids sticks with basketball and enjoys theater, he could probably land a job on TV after his professional career. He can really market himself.

[Harry0569]

That's awesome. Each day that passes, I get more and more excited about EM coming to SMU.

Keep it up!

[CalallenStang]

If JMM is the most athletic one in the family, this is going to be even more fun than we thought!

[smoodtwice]

Is it sad that a high school student and new recruit is already recruiting harder than JJ?

[LHS81]

Is it sad that a high school student and new recruit is already recruiting harder than JJ?

Rules of the basketball thread. . . We never mention those 2 initials.