Moore and Moore works for USU basketball
The halls leading to the Spectrum floor are filled with pictures of Aggie legends. As current players run out on to the floor for games, they can look at the alumni who have put the program where it is today.
Freshman forward Jalen Moore, however, doesn’t need much of a reminder. He only has to look at his dad, USU All-Century team member Jimmy Moore.
“Jalen has a lot of upside,” Jimmy Moore said. “He has the potential to have a really good career here at Utah State.”
Jalen began his career on the right foot Friday night in an exhibition game against Central Methodist University, scoring 10 points and grabbing three rebounds. Assistant coach Tim Duryea said the Aggies expect more of the same going forward.
“(He’s got) a lot of versatility,” Duryea said of Jalen. “(He) can play two different spots, can score in and around the basket, can score on the perimeter, is a very good passer and is learning to be a better defender.”
Jimmy set a high bar for his son to follow. After a stellar career as an Aggie, where he still ranks 24th in points and 15th in rebounding on the all-time lists, Jimmy went on to play with the Seattle Supersonics for two years and ten years professionally in Europe.
He later returned to Cache Valley as an assistant coach at USU and has since worked for the university, which has kept Jalen close to the Aggies while growing up.
“I’ve always lived around here, so I know what to expect,” Jalen said. “I love playing for the coaches and everything, with these guys. It’s been fun.”
Jalen played prep ball at Sky View High School, where he led the Bobcats to the 4A Utah State Championship last year. Duryea said the Aggies have had their eyes on the forward for many years.
“Since he was about eight years old, he used to come to our camps all the time,” Duryea said.
Jimmy said he has always thought Jalen would end up an Aggie.
“This is where he’s always wanted to play,” he said. “Growing up here in the valley, they always came up to individual camps, team camps, stuff like that. It was just a natural fit for Jalen.”
Jalen verbally committed to USU at the end of his sophomore year, but couldn’t sign until his senior year. Jimmy said they received offers from schools in the Pac-12 Conference and beyond, but the Aggies still won out.
“A lot of schools I think backed off of him because they knew of the verbal commitment and my connection here with the university,” Jimmy said.
Jimmy said although he always he wanted it to happen, he tried not to push his son toward his alma mater.
“I really didn’t push him to come here,” he said. “As far as me forcing him, saying this is where you want to go, I tried to let him make his own decision. I was selfish. I wanted to see him play here, but I never wanted to put him in a situation where he came here and didn’t feel like it was the right place for him. I think it was an easy choice for him.”
The younger Moore thought dad’s feelings came through clear enough, but he is glad they did.
“He kind of wanted me to come here,” Jalen said. “I think it’s kind of cool he’ll be able to come and watch.”
Jalen said the transition to college ball initially “fazed” him a little, but feels he has now caught on and can make an impact.
“It’s more intense here,” he said. “The atmosphere was awesome even though it was an exhibition game. I’m looking forward to the rest of the year. We got to step up our defense, but it’s awesome.”
Jalen said his dad’s advice for his first game was to just get out on the floor, where he threw down a couple of thunderous dunks to the delight of the Spectrum crowd.
“They’ve just told me that I need to run,” he said. “That’s what I’ve been trying to do, and that’s what I was able to do last game. That’s how I got those (dunks).”
Father and son are of the same build, with Jalen holding a 1-inch height advantage at 6-foot-8, and in playing style, though both agree Jimmy at one point was a better jumper.
“He had a higher vertical than I do,” Jalen said. “(I) never got to see him play very much, but we’re about the same.”
“I was probably a better leaper than he is; I was a pretty good leaper in my day,” Jimmy said. “He’s better than I am now of course.”
Jalen’s afro, however, holds the edge in the hair department, Jimmy said.
“If you look at my picture I had a little hair on my head, but not nearly as much as he has,” he said. “He got all the hair from my wife.”
Jimmy said his significant other also has the claim on being the number one fan.
“His mom, we both are, we’re proud of Jalen,” he said. “(He) just needs to continue to work hard to improve his game.”
-m.hop@aggiemail.usu.edu
Twitter:@legendarymhops