UTEP Basketball: Lee Moore to pursue professional career

UTEP Athletics announced Monday afternoon that guard Lee Moore intends to pursue a professional career after just one year at UTEP.

"Lee has decided to turn pro," Tim Floyd said.  "We hope he has made the right decision and we wish him the best.  This opens up a second starting perimeter spot on our team.  We started four guards last year.  We hope to find two guards to replace Lee and Earvin, who made nice contributions to our program."

Sources close to the program indicate Moore will leave for China in June to pursue his pro career if the NBA doesn't call, and he has already left school in preparation.

A third team All-Conference USA honoree, Moore led the Miners in scoring (15.4 ppg), steals (1.4 spg), free throw attempts (198), double-figure scoring games (27), 20-point games (seven) and number of games leading the team in scoring (15) last season.  He also averaged 5.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists, shooting 45.2 percent from the field, 36.8 percent from three-point range and 74.2 percent from the line.

Additionally, sources also say the status of another productive UTEP guard is up in the air.

According to sources, Omega Harris has had his athletic scholarship pulled due to multiple violations of team rules.  Miner Rush has reached out to coach Tim Floyd, and the athletic department for comment on the matter but no response has been given.

At this point, it appears Harris' status is 50/50 on whether he will return as he will have to pay his way at UTEP if his scholarship was not renewed, and a possible transfer suitor is unknown at this time.

Answers for backcourt replacements for Moore, and possibly Omega Harris will be figured out in the next month as the late signing period gets underway Wednesday.