Rio Grande News
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Mon, May. 14, 2012 - [Men's Basketball]
Rio Grande Sports Information
DETROIT, Mich. - University of Rio Grande men's basketball head coach Ken French has announced the signing of Schoolcraft College standout Karl Moore for the 2012-13 season.
Moore, a 6-foot-8, 180-pound forward, averaged 22.7 points and 12.1 rebounds last season at Schoolcraft, a community-based college located in Livonia, Mich. He also connected on 56.6 percent of his field goal attempts for the Ocelots, who finished 19-12. "I was nervous at first, but I became confident about my decision because I knew I was the missing piece that coach French had been looking for," Moore said. "I appreciate the opportunity that he has given me and, in return, I plan on helping the team make a run toward winning a championship."
Moore earned numerous honors for his performance during the 2011-12 campaign, including selections to the National Junior College Athletic Association's All-Region 12 Team and the NJCAA's District 9 All-Tournament Team.
He was also named to the All-Michigan Community College Athletic Association Team, as well as the MCCAA's All-Eastern Conference First Team.
"Karl brings a level of athleticism to our program that we were looking for," French said. "He fits a need for us, not only athletically, but at that position, because we need to bring in some (power forwards) who can make an immediate impact. He's a high-caliber player and a high-caliber athlete and we're very excited to add him to our program. I think it's a good fit, not only for us, but for him as well."
Moore, who played his high school basketball at the Academy of Oak Park, said playing basketball at the collegiate level has been a dream since the age of five.
His decision to choose the RedStorm came after a recent visit to the campus and some subsequent soul-searching.
"I asked God to show me a sign so that I could make the right decision," Moore said. "He eliminated my options and boxed me in to where I had no choice but to sign here."
Moore's path to Rio Grande was a rather circuitous one.
Following his high school graduation, Moore enrolled as a full-time college student in 2006. However, his college career was interrupted not long thereafter because of family reasons.
He resumed his career at Schoolcraft last year and gained the attention of a number of NCAA Division I programs, including Detroit Mercy, Eastern Michigan, Central Michigan and the University of Albany, but his eligibility at those schools had become outdated - NCAA institutions allow student-athletes a "clock" of five academic calendars from the time he/she first enrolls as a full-time student.
Thus, Moore was left looking to the NAIA level. He received interest from Northwood University, the University of Pikeville and St. Catharine College before making the decision to sign with Rio Grande.
"There were NCAA Division I schools that were willing to offer me a scholarship but, because of my situation, my eligibility to play NCAA basketball had expired," Moore said. "If I wanted to continue to play college basketball, going to an NAIA school was the way I had to go."
French, obviously, is excited about the opportunity to add a player with the abilities that Moore possesses to his program.
"He had some Division I schools interested in him, but he couldn't go that route," French said. "You're talking about a guy who had 22 double-doubles during the season. I don't care what kind of competition you're playing against, if you get 22 double-doubles you're playing hard and you have a nose for the ball. I can't wait to get him down here and to get started working with him. We want to help him develop individually and, at the same time, move our program forward."
Moore, who plans to major in either Psychology or Social Work, said he hopes to improve his overall strength upon his arrival to campus, but added that there are aspects of his game which he thinks will pay immediate dividends.
"I think my leadership, in addition to my ability to score and rebound, are strengths," he said. "My ultimate goal is to help Rio Grande play for a championship."
Moore is the son of Debra White of Detroit.
DETROIT, Mich. - University of Rio Grande men's basketball head coach Ken French has announced the signing of Schoolcraft College standout Karl Moore for the 2012-13 season.
Moore, a 6-foot-8, 180-pound forward, averaged 22.7 points and 12.1 rebounds last season at Schoolcraft, a community-based college located in Livonia, Mich. He also connected on 56.6 percent of his field goal attempts for the Ocelots, who finished 19-12. "I was nervous at first, but I became confident about my decision because I knew I was the missing piece that coach French had been looking for," Moore said. "I appreciate the opportunity that he has given me and, in return, I plan on helping the team make a run toward winning a championship."
Moore earned numerous honors for his performance during the 2011-12 campaign, including selections to the National Junior College Athletic Association's All-Region 12 Team and the NJCAA's District 9 All-Tournament Team.
He was also named to the All-Michigan Community College Athletic Association Team, as well as the MCCAA's All-Eastern Conference First Team.
"Karl brings a level of athleticism to our program that we were looking for," French said. "He fits a need for us, not only athletically, but at that position, because we need to bring in some (power forwards) who can make an immediate impact. He's a high-caliber player and a high-caliber athlete and we're very excited to add him to our program. I think it's a good fit, not only for us, but for him as well."
Moore, who played his high school basketball at the Academy of Oak Park, said playing basketball at the collegiate level has been a dream since the age of five.
His decision to choose the RedStorm came after a recent visit to the campus and some subsequent soul-searching.
"I asked God to show me a sign so that I could make the right decision," Moore said. "He eliminated my options and boxed me in to where I had no choice but to sign here."
Moore's path to Rio Grande was a rather circuitous one.
Following his high school graduation, Moore enrolled as a full-time college student in 2006. However, his college career was interrupted not long thereafter because of family reasons.
He resumed his career at Schoolcraft last year and gained the attention of a number of NCAA Division I programs, including Detroit Mercy, Eastern Michigan, Central Michigan and the University of Albany, but his eligibility at those schools had become outdated - NCAA institutions allow student-athletes a "clock" of five academic calendars from the time he/she first enrolls as a full-time student.
Thus, Moore was left looking to the NAIA level. He received interest from Northwood University, the University of Pikeville and St. Catharine College before making the decision to sign with Rio Grande.
"There were NCAA Division I schools that were willing to offer me a scholarship but, because of my situation, my eligibility to play NCAA basketball had expired," Moore said. "If I wanted to continue to play college basketball, going to an NAIA school was the way I had to go."
French, obviously, is excited about the opportunity to add a player with the abilities that Moore possesses to his program.
"He had some Division I schools interested in him, but he couldn't go that route," French said. "You're talking about a guy who had 22 double-doubles during the season. I don't care what kind of competition you're playing against, if you get 22 double-doubles you're playing hard and you have a nose for the ball. I can't wait to get him down here and to get started working with him. We want to help him develop individually and, at the same time, move our program forward."
Moore, who plans to major in either Psychology or Social Work, said he hopes to improve his overall strength upon his arrival to campus, but added that there are aspects of his game which he thinks will pay immediate dividends.
"I think my leadership, in addition to my ability to score and rebound, are strengths," he said. "My ultimate goal is to help Rio Grande play for a championship."
Moore is the son of Debra White of Detroit.
