UNF’s starting guard Dallas Moore, a sophomore majoring in criminal justice, is the product of competitive spirits. His father was a baseball player while his mother was a cheerleader. Growing up, Moore’s father insisted he play baseball, but the future Osprey had other plans. His love for basketball began at the age of six, and Moore’s speed would seal the deal for him to play the game with his dedication not too far behind.

Compared to Jacksonville, Moore’s hometown of St. Petersburg, Fla. didn’t have a lot of high schools. Boca Ciega High School was one of the larger ones in the region, where he started to play guard in his freshman year for the Boca Ciega Pirates. He would play basketball all the way through to his senior year. In the off-seasons, Moore would play for the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) with both the Florida Rams and the Florida Elite. Although his father originally pushed him towards baseball, Moore’s father would end up coaching Moore in the AAU.

Early in Moore’s basketball career, his chances of playing college ball were slim. Moore was only 5’5” at the start of his career — smaller than most on the court — but that did not stop him. Over the course of his high school career, he would continue to grow on and off the court. Accolades for his performance and his status as a letterman for all of high school highlighted his developing skills. With a growth spurt in his pocket, he led his team to back-to-back regional quarterfinal appearances and finished as the second all-time leading scorer. During those high school years, some of his fellow teammates — like current Louisiana Tech guard Kenneth Smith –went off to college on basketball scholarships.

“I dreamed of playing college basketball,” Moore said. “I always wanted to play. I started to grow [physically], then I started to get better.”

When his shooting skills became apparent, Moore began to gain the attention of colleges in his sophomore season. Some of the schools looking at him included UNF, University of Central Florida, Florida International University and East Carolina University. It was the great atmosphere and coaching staff that drew Moore’s attention to UNF.

“When I came on my visit, I just loved the coaching staff,” Moore said. UNF was where he believed he would fit in the best.

Moore meshed perfectly with UNF Head Coach Matthew Driscoll’s idea of a starting guard who could lead the offense and greatly benefit the program as a whole.

“One thing about Dallas coming out of high school [was that] he was such a great scorer,” Driscoll said. “So really, a lot of people didn’t recruit him much to be a lead guard.”

While playing for the AAU, Moore would shift to the point guard position from his known shooting guard position at certain times during games.

“He was phenomenal and really had a great command for what he was trying to do,” Driscoll said. “At that point, I really knew and I had told the staff that Dallas could play the lead guard and play it well.”

Last season, Moore’s breakout game was against nationally ranked No. 23 Indiana University with 27 points. Moore was named the Atlantic Sun Freshman of the

Year, and was unanimously voted to be a part of the A-Sun All-Freshman team. He set the UNF freshman scoring mark with 399 points, showing his hot hand. In the off-season, Moore — with the help and guidance of the coaching staff — worked on assists. He studied game footage to take his game to the next level on the hardwood.

Moore, now 6’1”, has been leading the Ospreys on their hunt to the Promised Land — the NCAA Tournament. His face can be seen on campus from team posters to game promotions. Moore averages over 32 minutes per game with 395 points so far, leading the team. Moore is shooting 49 percent from the field this season.

“His heart is really, really kind and he is way more normal, on the side of being goofy,” Driscoll said. “He is one of those kinds of kids that you’d want your daughter to date. But also too, when he’s between the black lines he is a competitive cat. He’s not tapped his lid, as far as his potential within college yet.”

As a left-handed guard, Moore’s abilities and qualities make him special. He has come a long way since he first started playing, and he plans on going even further with the basketball in his hands. After his time at UNF, Moore has his sights on Australia to play international basketball continuing his legacy on the court.

—

For more information or news tips, contact reporter1@unfspinnaker.com; if you see an error in this story or have any compliments or concerns, contact sports@unfspinnaker.com.