ROCHESTER, Mich. — Oakland's
Jalen Moore made quite the impression in his first year with the Golden Grizzlies, as he led the country in assists per game and total assists while also holding top-25 national marks in free throw makes (2nd), free throw attempts (3rd), triple-doubles (4th), minutes per game (5th), and double-doubles (23rd). Moore's strong play led to several national and conference accolades, including NABC All-District First Team honors.
Prior to Oakland, the point guard made a name for himself at Cloverdale High School (Ind.), where he totaled 2,440 points, the 12th-most in Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) history. Moore scored a state-high 1,031 points (36.8 PPG) as a senior alone, which was the third-highest mark in single-season state history. His success translated to National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division I All-American honors at Olney Central Central (Ill.) in 2020.
We sat down with Moore to discuss his journey to Oakland, his first year with the Golden Grizzlies, and his leadership role heading into the 2021-22 season.
Many know that high school basketball is a prominent sport in the state of Indiana. So how cool is it to see that you are one of the top scorers — both in career points and points in a season — in state history?
It didn't really hit me until last year since I mainly focused on getting to the next level. I didn't care about the stats and accolades at the time. Looking back on it now, I am proud of what I accomplished. I put up some incredible numbers that can't be taken from me. I think it's going to be hard for others to break some of my stats. There have been many great basketball players from the state of Indiana. To be near the top of those scoring lists is incredible.
While your skill played a significant role in your success, did the combination of your high school's style of play and teammates contribute as well?
Having the trust and confidence from my coaching staff pushed me to have confidence in myself. They gave me the green light and freedom to play my game. Likewise, I had that same confidence and trust from my teammates. They trusted me to make winning plays for the team. Combining both gave me the ultimate confidence to go out there and be myself on the floor.
Has basketball always been in your blood, considering that your dad played at Murray State?
Basketball has always been in my blood. It started with my pops because he went to JUCO just like me. It's almost like I'm following in his footsteps since we're both JUCO All Americans who ended up playing Division I basketball. He went to Murray State and made it to the tournament his senior year. My senior year is coming up, so hopefully, we'll make the tournament and win some games there.
Speaking of JUCO basketball, how would you describe your successful two-year stint at Olney Central College in southeastern Illinois?
My experience was great. I loved it there. The college was small, but it had a great town and fanbase. People were coming out to support our team all the time, which made the experience fulfilling. Sometimes, I wish I could go back and just enjoy it a little more. When I was there, I had the mindset that I couldn't wait to get out of there because I wanted to get on to bigger and better things. Thinking back on it, I wish I would've appreciated what I had a little more because it was a key part of my journey.
Olney's basketball conference featured some of the top JUCO teams in the country. Would you say that the JUCO basketball scene was more competitive than you imagined?
I felt like our league was very competitive. In my opinion, it was one of the best leagues in the country. You had Vincennes 30 minutes away that consistently went to the national tournament. There was also John A. Logan, who had Jay Scrubb, a guy who was drafted out of JUCO by the Los Angeles Clippers. Every time I played against top-tier teams like Vincennes or John A. Logan, the best of
Jalen Moore came out. We brought out the best in each other, which paid off on both sides.
You had several Division I offers after two years at Olney. What made Oakland stand out compared to the other schools?
My top five schools were FIU, Purdue Fort Wayne, South Alabama, Appalachian State, and Oakland. What made Oakland stand out was the success of Kay Felder and Kendrick Nunn. Kay Felder is a little bulkier than me, but our playing style is similar. We both can shoot and get anyone involved. Even more, we both led the country in assists. Coach Kampe has been at Oakland for 38 years, so he has many connections. He will put you in the best position to be successful, which is a big selling point. I'm incredibly blessed that I received the opportunity to come here and make a difference in this program.
How quick did it hit that you were going to make a similar impact to former point guards like Kay Felder and Kendrick Nunn, even though it was only your first year as a Golden Grizzly?
When Kampe recruited me, he told me that I would have the keys to the car. I had a lot of coaches tell me that, but I didn't know who was actually telling the truth. With Kampe, I knew that he was honest based on the success of his previous point guards. I felt like the results and history spoke for themselves. In practice last season, Kampe switched me over to the other team once because we got a rebound, and I went down the court without the ball. He was pissed at me. He wanted the ball in my hands because I'm the point guard. I'm following in the previous point guards' footsteps and trying to be better than they are. It's going to be hard, but I think it's possible.
You continually made history in your first season at Oakland. Out of all the accomplishments, which one were you most proud of?
I was most proud of leading the country in assists. As I said, I feel like I can score the ball whenever I want, but being a true point guard at my size means getting everyone involved. Chris Paul and Trae Young can score the ball, but their passing and court vision are underrated. My court vision was underrated until people started to notice. People thought I was too small to succeed at this level, but I told myself that I would make the best out of every opportunity.
I think I know the answer to this, but who do you model your game after?
It's easily Trae Young. I have been studying a lot of film on him, from his footwork, to his reads, ball screens, passing, and floaters. I want to model my game after him because of the success he has had in the NBA as an undersized point guard. He is probably only one or two inches taller than me and 10-to-15 pounds heavier. If he can do it, then why can't I?
Do you plan to do the Trae Young shimmy after your signature step-back jumpers next season?
It all depends on how I'm feeling in the game. I have definitely thought about it, especially after seeing him do it in the playoffs.
Assistant coaches Tony Jones and Mychal Covington have worked with you a lot since you arrived at OU. How have they helped your game?
The assistants have helped develop my game tremendously.
Tony Jones and I always sit down and talk about how you need to make shots at the professional level. Those guys hardly ever miss. We have watched a lot of film on Trae Young and similar point guards. He has coached many pros, so he knows what it takes to make it to the next level. Coach Covington always keeps it real with me. If I'm not playing good or need to do something better, he's going to be straight-up about it. I've been picking their brains apart and feeding off them because they know what it takes. Corey (Wheeler) has also done a great job breaking down my film and Trae Young's film. We watch a lot of film together, which has been very beneficial. Collectively, those three have helped me improve as a player.
Trey Townsend mentioned that you have stepped up as a leader this offseason. Has that been something you have embraced as a second-year player at Oakland?
I have tried to welcome the new guys and make sure they are good if they ever need anything. I want them to know that I'm always here for them. Last year, I feel like we didn't have that type of chemistry together. We didn't bond as much as we should've. This year, I want to make sure that we have that team chemistry and bond. So far, I believe that we're doing a great job of bonding together and being positive. I told the guys that everyone will have a different role. One person's role may be to go hard at practice and prepare us for the upcoming game. While everyone will have a different role, it comes down to accepting the role for the team's betterment. At the end of the day, everyone on the team gets a ring if you win a championship. I try to tell people that the 14th or 15th guy is just as important as the number one guy. You got to have everyone on board because if you're climbing up a ladder and the 14th guy is pulling someone down, then everyone else will go down too. I'm not much of a talker on the court but more of a lead by example instead. However, I've emphasized improving my communication skills.
How has practicing as a team with the newcomers been?
It feels good being able to know my teammates' game on and off the court. It's been good to know them as a person and what they like off the court. It's important to understand how they want to be treated and talked to because it all translates to the floor. Being back at the gym with the guys has been a blessing, and I believe that we're going to have a tremendous season.
Lastly, there was the picture of you watching Cleveland State celebrate its Horizon League Championship from a distance in Indianapolis. Has that lit a fire under you to win it all next year?
That picture is my screensaver. Every day, I wake up to that picture. I will always remember that feeling because it sucked. With it being my first year at the Division I level, we had a poor start but a really good season overall. We finished strong and came so close to the NCAA Tournament. Sometimes, I don't want to go to the gym because my body is tired and sore. But, the picture pushes me through that pain because I don't want to have that feeling ever again. If we were that close last year, then why can't we win it all this season?
