Although he’s not quite sure when he will sign on the dotted line once the signing period begins in November, Linden senior basketball standout Quadri Moore – one of the top big men in New Jersey – was still relieved to have given Cincinnati a verbal commitment last week.
“There was a lot of pressure and unnecessary things going on, so it felt good; I went with my heart and my gut feeling,” said the 6-9 senior forward, who narrowed down his college choices to Cincinnati and Seton Hall.
“It came down to feeling more comfortable with Cincinnati and the coach (Mick Cronin),” said Moore, who was courted by Cincinnati, but did not make an official visit there. “Being away from home can also help the growing up process more than staying around here.”
Moore, who last year helped Linden reach the Union County Tournament and Group 4 state championship games – the Tigers lost the UCT final at the buzzer and then the Group 4 final in overtime -with averages of 14.6 points and 5.7 rebounds, is hoping Cincinnati will be the next step that leads to his ultimate goal of playing in the NBA one day.
“It will help me get there as long as I get there,” Moore said. “They have a good coaching staff and they’ve been to the NCAA Tournament the last couple of years (the last three to be exact).”
A varsity starter since the beginning of his freshman year, it was the pounds that he shed – going roughly from 290 to his present weight of 225 – that played a big part in the development of his game.
“If I was still around 290 I wouldn’t be going to a Division 1 school,” Moore said. “Losing the weight has helped make me more versatile and agile on my feet.”
Moore, 18, will turn 19 on Nov. 22, right after the signing period begins and right before practice commences Dec. 2.
“I’m not sure exactly when I will sign,” Moore said. “I don’t have an exact time table yet.”
One thing Moore is sure about is the success Linden could have this season.
“I really think the team we have this year can be the same as the one I played on my freshman year, only with a different me,” Moore said.
Three years ago Linden captured the North 2, Group 4 championship before narrowly missing playing in the Group 4 state championship game.