Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
J.J. Moore is headed to the Big East.
The 6-foot-5, 190-pound wing from Brentwood, N.Y. and South Kent (Conn.), verbally committed to Pittsburgh on Wednesday, the first day of the NCAA early signing period.
He chose Pitt over Big East rivals Louisville and St. John’s. He also considered Providence and Florida before trimming his list. Moore is ranked No. 107 in the Class of 2010, and No. 23 among small forwards.
“J.J. committed to Pitt,” said his mentor, Hunt Bresky.
“I think he was very impressed with [head coach] Jamie Dixon and the coaching staff in particular,” Bresky added. “He got along very well with the players themselves and felt very comfortable there. The location also was very attractive to him. He wanted to get out of New York and go someplace different and Pittsburgh provided the opportunity to leave New York but yet not be too far away so that his family would be able to come see him play at home. I think that was an important factor for J.J.”
Moore had an in-home visit with Pittsburgh coaches in early September and then took two unofficials to campus.
“I think he can be really good,” South Kent coach Kelvin Jefferson said last summer. “He’s got great size, a great physique. He’s very athletic and he can shoot the ball. He can do a lot of different things. He can finish around the rim. He can catch off penetration and make threes.
“He can add to his game as far as slashing to the rim, as far as becoming a better defender. He’s a good 3-point shooter, but if he becomes a consistent 3-point shooter and good mid-range shooter, then all of a sudden, wow.”
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Adam Zagoria is a Basketball Insider who covers basketball at all levels. A contributor to The New York Times and SportsNet New York (SNY), he is also the author of two books and is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker. His articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide. He also won an Emmy award for his work on the SNY mini-documentary on Syracuse guard Tyus Battle.
A veteran Ultimate Frisbee player, he has competed in numerous National and World Championships and, perhaps more importantly, his teams won the Westchester Summer League (WSL) championships in 2011 and 2013.
He lives in Manhattan with his wife and children.
J.J. Moore is headed to the Big East.
The 6-foot-5, 190-pound wing from Brentwood, N.Y. and South Kent (Conn.), verbally committed to Pittsburgh on Wednesday, the first day of the NCAA early signing period.
He chose Pitt over Big East rivals Louisville and St. John’s. He also considered Providence and Florida before trimming his list. Moore is ranked No. 107 in the Class of 2010, and No. 23 among small forwards.
“J.J. committed to Pitt,” said his mentor, Hunt Bresky.
“I think he was very impressed with [head coach] Jamie Dixon and the coaching staff in particular,” Bresky added. “He got along very well with the players themselves and felt very comfortable there. The location also was very attractive to him. He wanted to get out of New York and go someplace different and Pittsburgh provided the opportunity to leave New York but yet not be too far away so that his family would be able to come see him play at home. I think that was an important factor for J.J.”
Moore had an in-home visit with Pittsburgh coaches in early September and then took two unofficials to campus.
“I think he can be really good,” South Kent coach Kelvin Jefferson said last summer. “He’s got great size, a great physique. He’s very athletic and he can shoot the ball. He can do a lot of different things. He can finish around the rim. He can catch off penetration and make threes.
“He can add to his game as far as slashing to the rim, as far as becoming a better defender. He’s a good 3-point shooter, but if he becomes a consistent 3-point shooter and good mid-range shooter, then all of a sudden, wow.”
Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter
