UAB Basketball picks up huge commitment from top 100 recruit salim london

By Steve Irvine

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA - October 2, 2024

His college destination is decided and the plan is for Salim London to sign with UAB in the November signing period. The 6-foot-4, 185-pound guard made that decision public last Friday.

However, before he gets to the next step in his basketball career, London has some business to finish. London has been a key part of back-to-back AHSAA Class 7A state championship seasons at nearby Hoover High School. As a sophomore, in the 2022-23 season, he scored 34 points in an 84-66 Class 7A championship game victory over Central Phenix City. He was the tournament MVP that season. Last season, as a junior, he had 20 points, seven rebounds and five assists in a dominating 59-34 triumph over Enterprise in the championship game.

With a returning core that includes London, 6-foot-9 four-star center DeWayne Brown and point guard Jarett Fairley, the Bucs are favored to win yet another state championship.  

“I think it would mean the world to me,” London said. “You know, I think it would be the cherry on the top, just because we've already done it twice. People are expecting us to do it again, but I know that it's going to be even harder. It's harder every year because the target on your back. But, I mean, winning at the third time, that would definitely be a great event.”

London, whose father, Tarik, played at the University of Alabama from 1997-2001, has played on the Hoover varsity since his freshman year. That’s also when his college recruitment began.”

London is listed as a four-star recruit by ESPN and 247 Sports and a three-star prospect by ON3. He said he considers his finalists to be UAB, Alabama, Ole Miss and Mississippi State and also had official visits to James Madison and Murray State. Since the end of last season, UAB assistant coach Rob Williams was the lead recruiter for the Blazers in their pursuit of London. Yaxel Lendeborg also played a key role in the recruitment.

“When I went on my official visit, just the environment there,” London said when asked the reasons for his decision. “The coaching staff was great and I had a great host, Yaxel Lendeborg, me and him became friends. But just really the environment was really good.”

London joins a 2025 commitment class that also includes 6-foot-7 guard Lance Carr of Kimball High in Texas and 6-foot-7 swingman Evan Chatman of McLennan Community College in Texas. The early signing period begins on Nov. 8. London said the ability to come in and compete for playing time immediately was a factor in his decision.

“Me and my mom were talking about it, and she was just explaining to me, like, ‘Hey, you're gonna be expected to play,’” London said. “They have a lot of seniors. I’m not saying I’m going to start but there’s going to be a lot of spots. That was definitely an interest.”

London, who calls himself “a point guard who can play 2 guard”, said the success under head coach Andy Kennedy is yet another factor in his choice.

“It’s really exciting,” London said. “I’m going to a program that’s used to winning. That’s really what I care about.”