UTEP F Moore Ready to Get Back in Action

Eight months ago, Malcolm Moore was just seven games into his first division one 1 season, and was still trying to get accustomed to the speed of the game, and a new team. He showed some promise going for 9 points in a close game at Oregon, and by also pulling down 6 boards in a home win vs. UC Riverside.

Then on December 16th, Malcolm's season was cut short, as he tore the ACL in his right knee. Now an ACL tear is a tough injury for anyone to come back from, much less at a higher level, but it seems as though Malcolm has made it his mission to return a better player than he was before the injury.

"It's been a tough road, but its made a lot stronger, made me mature a lot. So, I'm ready to come back stronger than I ever have before on the basketball court."

As Malcolm said, an ACL injury can go one of two ways, and it seems he's made the best of it. He spent the last six months rehabbing, and training to get back on the basketball court. The 67 PF has also trimmed down from about 256 to 225, putting him in much better shape than he was before.

One thing that Moore mentioned multiple times was just that he is ready to get back on the court, and help the team out in any way he can. And, his help will be much needed. After being granted a medical redshirt, Malcolm will still have two years of eligibility remaining, but as a junior, he is one of the more experienced players on this team.

He'll step in alongside sophomore F Cedrick Lang, and freshman F/C Chris Washburn Jr. at the power forward position, and should offer some experience and maturity to an extremely young group. In fact, at the 4 and 5 positions, Moore and junior C John Bohannon will be the only two upper classmen, to go along with 3 freshmen and 1 sophomore.

At this point, Moore is still a couple months out from getting back to full strength. As he put it, he's currently at about 70%:

"I've got about two more months of working with the trainer, and I'll be back out there. [Right now] I can run, I can jump a little bit, so it's coming along...I'm gonna be alright...I feel better than I ever have."

It has to be tough for such a competitor to be away from the game, and unable to help his team because of injury. But Malcolm is certainly taking some good steps to get back to playing at a high level. After all, this guy was a two time All Region selection at the juco level, and a Third Team All American.

In high school, he averaged 21 and 11 as a senior, and was a four time All State selection. There's no doubt that Malcolm has proved time and time again just exactly what he is capable of. And, while this here was certainly a tough test, he's ready to get out there and prove himself once again.