WVU is Chance Moore’s fifth school in his collegiate career. However, it seems like he has finally found his home here in the Mountain State. Read more: A man amongst boys: Chance Moore’s impact on WVU
The Brookhaven, Georgia native has not missed a beat since returning from his NCAA-issued five-game suspension to start the season. Since stepping back onto the court, Moore has averaged 12 points and nearly six rebounds per game.
Previous stops
Moore spent time with Arkansas, Missouri State and St. Bonaventure, before transferring to WVU for his final year of college basketball. His most recent season was with the Bonnies.
While spending just one year with St. Bonaventure, Moore proved he was capable of playing high-caliber basketball. He averaged 13 points and nearly seven rebounds, all while playing in 31 of the 32 games.
He eclipsed double digits in points in 21 games, while also setting his career high of 27 earlier in the season. Moore also played well in the A-10 tournament by scoring 19 points in the quarterfinals.
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Moore also played two years for Missouri State. He averaged over ten points and hovered in the low 40s in field goal percentage both years. His stats were nearly identical between seasons, with just his rebound average going up two per game compared to his first season with the Bears.
He also played at Arkansas, the school which recruited him out of high school. Moore would go on to play just his freshman year with the Razorbacks. In that year, he played in just five games and could never find his stride.
Finding a home at WVU
Now in his fifth year and with plenty of experience behind him, Moore is finally clicking with the Mountaineers. He has only played in five games, but has already shown himself to be an important piece to WVU Head Coach Ross Hodge’s puzzle.
Moore is playing arguably the best basketball of his career. While also averaging 12 points a game, the 6’6 forward is shooting a career high 52% from the field.
It has not just been Moore’s uptick in consistency that has stood out. It is his ability to be a threat any time he has the ball in his hands. Quickly, defenses have learned that he is a threat to get to the basket at will.
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Moore might not be much of a threat from behind the arc, shooting just 28% in that category, but he makes up for it with sheer dominance in the paint. He has been active on the offensive glass as well, which he routinely puts back up.
When he is on the court, he provides the Mountaineers with much-needed spacing. Opposing defenses are forced to clog the paint more in an effort to stop his relentless drives. When that happens, it allows the likes of Honor Huff to step in for an open three.
He has also been impactful on the defensive side by forcing three steals and four blocks so far in the season. However, it is his ability to stand his ground against taller opponents that stands out. He gives Coach Hodge another option to guard multiple positions. Whether that be a center or a taller guard, Moore is capable of defending it.
Making an impact in his first game
After Moore was able to score 16 points and grab five rebounds in his debut against Clemson earlier in the season, coach Hodge had some high praise for the senior.
“Obviously, he’s one of the better players on the floor and some of those other guys weren’t having their best nights, and I thought his physicality in a game like this and his ability to drive the ball downhill was a big deal,” Hodge said.
A driving force
West Virginia’s season is still young. Almost every player is new to the team, from their head coach and to the school they play for. Despite that, they are still playing at a high level together.
No one knows this feeling better than Moore. He has had plenty of different stops on the way. But in his fifth and final year, evidence suggests that he has found the place where he’s able to be the best version of himself.
If WVU goes far this season, it will certainly not be without the effort of Chance Moore.
