Shabazz Muhammad’s father, Ron Holmes, denied that sports apparel maker Adidas played a role in his son’s decision to play basketball at UCLA.

"I don't understand when they say Adidas had a presence here," Holmes said. "Adidas didn't tell us where to go to school. … If they're saying that Adidas is giving me money, that is a downright lie."

Muhammad's sister, Asia, a professional tennis player, has a contract with Adidas, which also sponsors Shabazz's club team, Dream Vision.

UCLA is an Adidas sponsored school.

"I think the biggest thing was the challenge of bringing a storied program back to prominence," Holmes said. "At the end of the day, Kentucky didn't have that. At the end of the day, Duke didn't have that. Those programs are so great, but Shabazz and [incoming freshmen] Kyle [Anderson] and Jordan [Adams] and the Wear twins and Josh [Smith], if they can bring this program back to prominence they will go down in UCLA lore and college basketball lore."