Shabazz Muhammad Gucci Backpack Sparks UCLA Compliance Investigation

Jan 24, 2013; Tucson, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins guard/forward Shabazz Muhammad (15) shoots a free throw during the second half against the Arizona Wildcats at McKale Center. The Bruins beat the Wildcats 84-73. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports /

UCLA Bruins star Shabazz Muhammad is once again at the center of a controversy. He was forced to miss the first three games of the season while being investigated for receiving impermissible benefits. At the end of the investigation, Muhammad was ordered to repay $1,600. Now, it is a backpack that sparked an investigation from the UCLA compliance department.

Muhammad wore a Gucci backpack following the Bruins win over sixth-ranked Arizona on Thursday and that is what sparked the latest inquiry.

“Our compliance is handling it,” Bruins coach Ben Howland told ESPN. “They’re very professional and we’re aware of the situation.”

Muhammad chose the Gucci backpack over a school issued backpack which features the school logo, the sport the athlete plays and uniform number.

Asia Muhammad, Shabazz’s sister, was quick to defend her brother on Twitter and sent this message to Yahoo! Sports’ Pat Forde:

@YahooForde gift from myself (his sister) and his mother. I have the original receipt if you need to verify that. @phenom15balla doesn't
— Asia Muhammad (@asiamuhammad) January 25, 2013

The UCLA compliance department completed their investigation and found no wrong doing from Muhammad.

“The UCLA Athletics Compliance Office has confirmed that men’s basketball players Shabazz Muhammad and Kyle Anderson (who also had a designer model backpack) received items in question as gifts from their respective families, and the matter is closed,” UCLA’s athletic department said.

Long live the Gucci backpack.