UCLA compliance looking into Shabazz’s Gucci backpack

Ben Howland said Friday that UCLA’s compliance department is looking into Shabazz Muhammad’s Gucci backpack, one he was seen wearing after the team’s 84-73 win at No. 6 Arizona. Yahoo! Sports’ Pat Forde pointed out the backpack after the swingman scored a game-high 23 points. He didn’t make any explicit accusations, but did bring up Muhammad’s three-game suspension from the beginning of the season.

(UPDATE: The UCLA compliance office confirmed it was a family gift and closed the matter.)

From Yahoo! Sports:

After putting the Bruins on his back with a game-high 23 points, Muhammad put something else on his back before leaving the arena – a black Gucci backpack.

It was a nice look.

Nice enough that I checked Gucci.com Thursday night and found 18 backpacks, with the cheapest going for $990 retail. But, hey, I’m sure these things can be found on sale, right?

Howland did not want to offer an opinion on whether or not he felt the issue was overblown, but Muhammad’s sister Asia responded to Forde on Twitter.

She said over four tweets: “I read your condescending remark about @phenom15balla leaving with a Gucci backpack after beating Arizona. That was a birthday present from myself (his sister) and his mother. I have the original receipt if you need to verify that. @phenom15balla doesn’t need anything from anyone except his family. I understand you’re a very distinguished writer, congrats on that, but you’re barking up the wrong tree on this one.”