Feb. 11, 2004
The Georgia Tech basketball program is enjoying one of its best seasons in school history, and the Yellow Jackets seem primed to make some noise well into March. However, one of the keys to the team’s success can be traced back to a quiet decision made last spring.
That’s when Clarence Moore decided to rejoin the team after taking a year off. The 6-5 forward had wavered for quite some time, but he finally made up his mind to suit up for his senior season.
“In April or May, I knew I was coming back, but I didn’t tell anybody,” recounted the Louisiana native. “I just kept it under wraps until August. Just looking at everything and seeing who left, I knew I could go out there and have fun my senior year. I knew this could be a good team.”
Coach Paul Hewitt doesn’t mince words when asked about the impact of Moore’s return, giving the redshirt senior much of the credit for Tech’s surprise ascent into the national rankings this season.
“It’s the biggest difference in the team from last year to this year,” the fourth-year coach stated. “I’ve said a number of times that so many people have focused on what we didn’t have, but they didn’t realize what we had. We had a guy come back that, in my opinion, when left he was one of the top all-around players in the ACC.”
Two seasons ago, Moore appeared on the verge of having a breakout year. He had an impressive rookie campaign in 1999-2000, but a broken foot limited him to just five games as a sophomore. In Hewitt’s second season at the helm, Moore began to thrive and finished the season playing the best basketball of his collegiate career.
However, personal concerns prompted him to leave the team prior to last season. Moore said that he lost his passion for the game and needed some time away to deal with other aspects of his life. He stayed enrolled in school and maintained a close relationship with his former teammates, watching them struggle on the court during a roller coaster year.
“At times, I felt I could have gotten that key rebound or made that key pass,” he said. “I might have been able to do those intangible things to get them over the hump.”
Throughout the season, players and fans constantly lobbied for his return, but Hewitt wasn’t among the group. The coach kept the door open but maintained some distance as well.
“That made it easier for me to think about it, knowing there wasn’t any pressure on me,” Moore related. “He respected me as a man to make my own decision, and I appreciate that. It gave me a chance to mature and make the right decision.”
“I don’t think he was going to come back unless he felt completely sure he could give 100 percent,” added Hewitt. “That was the big thing that bothered me, because his heart wasn’t completely in it. I think you can see by the way he plays. He’s not a guy that comes in and fakes it.”
With a renewed passion for basketball, Moore has given the Jackets much-needed help in the frontcourt this season. His presence has softened the blow of losing Chris Bosh and Ed Nelson, and his leadership ability has shifted the burden from other players.
“That’s one of the reasons that I think the guys accepted me back,” Moore explained. “They knew I was type of player that would give my all, and if I saw something wrong, I’d voice my opinion. Sometimes that’s what a players needs, he needs to be told when he’s not doing the right thing.”
“It’s definitely helped having Mo on the team again,” said fellow senior and captain Marvin Lewis. “He a vocal guy, and we need someone like that on the floor.”
While his statistics are solid, Moore and Hewitt agree that he has yet to regain the form of two years ago, but there are signs that’s he’s getting close.
“I think I would be closer if it hadn’t been for my toe,” said Moore, referring to a turf toe injury that has limited his effectiveness recently. “I’ve been trying to do whatever the team needs me to do, whether it’s getting rebounds or play good defense. I’m just trying to do the little things, because we’ve got guys that can score. I just try to be the intangible guy.”
Moore came off the bench the first 14 games of the season before temporarily moving into the starting lineup in mid-January. Hewitt cited his aggressiveness and improved shooting as the impetus for the move. For Moore, it doesn’t matter whether he’s on the floor for the opening tip.
“Two years, it did,” said Moore, who is averaging 6.3 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. “Now, I’m mature after taking a year off. I thought a lot about the game. It’s not about who starts, it’s about who finishes.
“For a team to be great, you have to have guys that understand their role. That’s what we have. We have guys that go out there, understand what needs to be done and execute.”
Moore’s role is to do a little of everything He averages 6.3 points and 4.9 rebounds, but he is also second on the team with 28 steals and third with 13 blocked shots. Although he plays the power forward position, he can step outside and hit a three-pointer, connecting on 45 percent (23-51) from beyond the arc.
So far this season, Moore is basking in the team’s success, and he says he’s never had more fun playing basketball. While he’s happy to be back, he doesn’t necessarily regret leaving the team for a year.
“I would do it the same way,” said Moore, who is on track to graduate next fall. “Everything happens for a reason. I’m fine with the decisions I’ve made. It’s worked out for me. If I didn’t make those decisions, I wouldn’t be the man I am today.”
