The re-emergence of Aalim Moor

Check out the video of Aalim Moor working out this summer with Marqus Coleman and Anthony Eggleton!

Aalim Moor III contemplating his future
photo credit: M.E. Lampkin Media Services, LLC

Guards Adrian Oliver and Justin Graham have departed San Jose State University after each was on the court for 35 minutes a game during their respective tenures, Therefore, backcourt playing time is available to be earned by Spartan junior Aalim Moor III.

In that context -- called upon to enter 17 games last season for 61 minutes of playing time, producing 5-10 from the floor and eights assists to a single turnover -- some would have soured on college hoops and folded by now.

Not Moor.

He has chosen to dig deeper.

Leaving nothing to chance, he is demanding more of himself.

This display of perseverance and ultimately self-confidence boils down to a personal re-routing in order to achieve his goals.

One day found him on the beach in Alameda but not necessarily enjoying the sights. It was dragging his trainer Marqus Coleman to and fro on the sand via work-out bands strapped to the body. And did we mention this was during a rain storm with water coursing out of the sky making everything -- the sand, the equipment, the participants -- heavier. The next workout location was all those steep stairs at Lake Merritt. Another time found him whizzing around the Merritt College track as the temperature hovered in the 90s.

These efforts took place week in and week out, with predetermined goals and times to achieve.

Working on basketball skills training followed ninety-minute sessions of either efforts on the beach or at the track. The days were capped with evening weight training sessions.

Here's the actual compilation of numbers for Moor this summer:

* Rope reps - 14,300
* Shots in the gym - 3,492
* Sprinted - 14.5 miles
* Jogged - 9.3 miles
* Lifted hundreds of pounds of weights daily

Upon returning to Spartan workouts this summer, after finishing up the month-long training with Coleman and Anthony Eggleton, Moor just completed a mile run with the top time on the team of 5:56, bettering his previous best of 6:13.

So let's pose some questions:

Q - AO and JG are gone -- your thoughts on what they brought to the court and team and your connection to each?

AM: Leadership above all! They were unequivocally our leaders and I think having to replace that will be a bigger challenge than their production on the court. I look up to both as sort of big brothers and appreciate all the advice they give me...even now.

AO and I have been talking a lot throughout his whole process of NBA workouts. He has really given me great advice and sound pointers on how I should approach going into next year.

Q - Your playing time has been minimal so far yet your demeanor during games is one of bringing positivity (congratulatory words and actions) to your teammates. How have you maintained this attitude?

AM: By trying to understand that even though I'm not on the court, I can still have a real impact on the game by being vocal and sharing my view of what I see going on out there. Also patience is something that has helped me greatly.

Q - You devised a plan for yourself and your game this summer -- tell readers why and what it consists of?

AM: My motivation this summer was to re-capture my confidence and swagger about my game. Considering that I haven't really played as much in the past two years as I did in the previous four, I felt it was important to go back there in my mind, in order to go forward now in real time.

My plan was a very basic two-step approach:

1- Basketball skill work; work on every aspect of my game. And refine and improve on each piece.

2- Strength and Conditioning; "GET IN THE BEST SHAPE HUMANLY POSSIBLE!"

I'm ready!

a moment of relaxation for Moor
photo credit: M.E. Lampkin Media Services, LLC

Q - With your routine, what do you tell yourself in order to keep grinding away when fatigue is yelling at you to stop?

AM: I ask myself, Do you really want this? Are you even really a hooper? I think of everything anyone has said to me or about me that was demeaning and I push through all the pain and get it done. That's my motivation...it drives me!

Q - There is no returning starter at the point for San Jose State University -- who fills the spot?

AM: Who ever wants it. And "I WANT IT!"

Q - Why Marqus Coleman and Anthony Eggleton as your workout trainers? What does each bring?

AM: I've known Marcus for 14 years and I'm 20 now to put it in perspective. He would always tell me he wanted to work with me, so I decided this year was the year and I'm glad I made that move. He has helped me to change my whole mind set and approach to the game and to life.

Coach Ant and I have a long history. He has worked with me before and literally pushed me over the hump to become a D1 athlete. I owe him more than I can count!

Q - Recalling yourself as a freshman at SJSU as compared to the present -- who are you know, what is different for you and why?

AM: I'm a lot more mature! I have responsibilities now that I did not have before. I have an apartment, with bills. I'm beginning my major classes and understand what college is really about. Where as a freshman, I was wide-eyed and a bit wild, just looking to have fun.

Q - Two years into college and working towards a degree in communications, what academic advice can you offer to high school seniors soon to make that transition?

AM: Make sure you have your priorities in order! Parties and all that will always be there. Take care of school first!!

Q - Any idea if you want to down the road go into coaching basketball at some level? Yes or no, can you explain why.

AM: It's possible. I think I have a lot more information to gain, but I would love an opportunity to give back and help younger generations be successful.

Q - Jason Kidd won an NBA championship this season -- can you tell readers about your connections with him?

AM: We both grew up in Oakland. J. Kidd and I went to the same elementary school (St. Paschal Baylon) in Oakland. I think the biggest connection to him that I have is our style of play. I always admired his game. He has always been a pass first point guard, looking to set the table for other guys. He's always been a player I've looked up to and emulated.

Q - You met new Golden State Warrior Coach Mark Jackson years ago at a Double Pump Camp where you were one of the top campers. What was your impression of him and do you recall what he passed on to you?

AM: Mark Jackson was and is a great man and he is a great pickup for the Warriors as a Head Coach. My Dad introduced me to him after a game I was playing. He watched me play and complimented me on my game and told me that "in order to get where I want, hard work isn't enough you have to really believe in yourself and your ability". I never forgot that!

Q - You work in the summers for the Golden State Warriors -- what are your duties and how many years have you been doing this?

AM: I'm a coach at the camps. I help the kids work on the basics of the game and try to pass on what knowledge I have on to them, it's a lot of fun. I've been working the camps for about three years now. I really enjoy working with the Warriors. They are a first class organization and do a lot for our community. I'll keep coming back each year if they'll have me.

Aalim also added this: "Shout out to Kelvin Potts (KP) who I am working out with now for my ball handling and overall PG skills. I've known him all my life and I'm glad to have him as someone I work out with also."

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Moor surrounded by Coleman (l) and Eggleton (r)
photo credit: M.E. Lampkin Media Services, LLC

Telegraph Avenue-based Anthony "Ant" Eggleton, of Ant's Mind and Body, is a longtime resident of the East Bay, an Oakland Fremont High graduate and a trainer extraordinaire who does things differently than most folks in his field. It's not that he is looking to be a contrarian at all -- it's because he views training for gain to be a holistic effort, a congruency of mind and body.

Eggleton's plans of action include working on body mechanics to achieve multiple goals and results: greater balance and flexibility, quicker reactions to stimuli, improved strength and lateral movement quickness, plus quicker and more controlled directional changes.

That is the usual.

What's not is this: "We also work to turn on the centers of will," with the intent of leading to higher level performance, greater mental enhancement and quicker physical rejuvenation.

San Jose State Spartan Aalim Moor has long utilized this dual Eggleton approach but his time was limited since beginning college at SJSU.

Not this summer as the two have teamed up once again.

"I've known Aalim since the sixth grade and the work he has put in is paying dividends," Eggleton offered. "His athleticism has improved by leaps and bounds."

As evidence, Moor just completed a mile run with the top time on the team of 5:56, bettering his previous best of 6:13.

As Eggleton put it, look for the same name to be on the roster but it will be a different Moor on the floor this season: "I think fans will be more than pleasantly surprised," no pun intended.

Eggleton continued, "Aalim had a different focus [than before]. He has always been driven but it was a bit more now, going to a different level.

There were other differences, too.

"He has gone from a kid to an impressive young man, evolving emotionally and physically," Eggleton added. "We were able to train more aggressively and physically. His mind and body were really into it."

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Moor celebrating beating Coleman on his fifth time up a training hill
photo credit: M.E. Lampkin Media Services, LLC

Marqus Coleman runs the Coleman Elite Boot Camp and worked out Moor this summer. Here's a Q-and-A with Coleman:

Q - Why are you in the profession you have chosen?

MC: I have always had a passion for teaching the game of basketball. I was taught from a young age to play the game the right way and I want to pass that on. I started my first coaching job as a 10th grader in high school and I think my passion grew from that point on.

Q - What is your core training philosophy?

MC: My training philosophy is broken up into four parts:

1. To begin with, my goal is to teach the athlete how to work out. Most athletes work out on their own, but either they don't have a good work ethic, or they don't know how to push their workouts to the next level consistently, each time they step on the floor.

2. My idea is to get the athlete in complete shape, for the duration of their play. In other words, I believe an athlete should be able to stay fresh from start to finish, offense and defense. Being able to compete for that amount of time, without having to clutter your mind with thoughts of fatigue and wanted rest, allows you space to strengthen and master your mental game. Most athletes struggle with this, and can only consistently play their best, 40-60% of the game.

3. Predicated on my Philosophy of: 2-6-2

I believe in teaching basketball skills 2 seconds at a time. Ideally the moves you make on the basketball court only happen in a 2 to 3 second time period. The 6 represents the 6 inches your base or the lower half of your body can be effective in your moves on the floor. If your feet are more than 6 inches from your body you become ineffective as a basketball player, losing your strength and balance. Finally, the the second 2 represents the 2 feet of space created from the first tow points. If you can be successful in making a move in 2 seconds and explosive in 6 inches of space, you can create 2 feet of space, giving you room to pass or score with vision.

4. The final piece to my philosophy consists of three things: I want to emphasize the athletes explosiveness, speed and agility and consistency. If a player can accomplish these three key factors to the game, they can be unstoppable. Confidence will be sparked as well.

Q - If it does, how does your training differ from that of others?

MC: I think I differ from others in my thought about my athletes. I am the trainer, which means I work for the athlete, not the other way around. I structure the training around the athlete and make sure he or she always feels they are better than they were the day before. I would often remind people that as a player its about you, this is your choice to do this and I am not forcing you to do this. However if this is what you want to do then we have to make progress together because I am only as good as you. My training principles are simple, yet the workout is unorthodox. I do the training that everyone talks about doing, but never does. I use the gym to refine skill sets and perfect what the athlete already knows. One major difference is that I always teach in pressure situations, its more realistic and forces the athlete to think.

Q - Are there any client names from the past or present you can share?

MC: I don't believe that the success of the athlete is mine to claim. At the end of the day, the athletes are the ones working, I instruct. Over the years I've worked with many successful athletes primarily in NorCal, but also across the country. To me it does not matter what your name is, I don't affiliate with names. When it's time to work, we work regardless of who you are.

Q - What can you share regarding your experience working as a trainer and basketball skills instructor for the Bakersfield Jam of the NBA Developmental League?

MC: Working with the Jam has been a great opportunity for me for the last 2 years and anticipation of my 3rd year in a few weeks. Coach [Will] Voight has been a great mentor and professional in allowing me to work with some of the great players trying to get to that next level. The environment is fast paced, you have to be a clear in your teaching and mistakes are not high in the workouts because these guys take the game serious at that level. I must say that I have learned a lot from Coach Voight over these last few years, but most of all he really cares. This is the part of the professional level that you may think doesn't exist but he has taught me patience with players and the importance of treating every opportunity as an interview.

Q - How did working with Aalim come about?

MC: Since he was six years old, Aalim and I have always had a close relationship. I have supported him through his years of growing and always gave my input when I had the chance. I always wanted to train him as he got into his high school years because I felt like he didn't know the potential he really had. He is a guy that would give up his game for others to shine but I felt he needed to be something different this time. He needed something this summer that will force him to face his self and to build his image of self to himself. He called me on the phone and he said, I need a quicker, first step, explosiveness and work on my shot. My response was an immediate yes I can get that done. We decided from day one the work is about him, this process is about him, everyday he wanted to be better than yesterday.

Q - Please describe what it was like working with Aalim?

MC: I greatly enjoy working with athletes who carry enthusiasm the way Aalim does. Aalim is eager and hungry to learn and get better, he is his own biggest critic, and during training tunes in with me. Our workouts were filled with communication and understanding, without the need for words. Aalim is an example of an athlete striving for success and putting in the work to get there.

Q - Can you offer any projections regarding Aalim next year at San Jose State University?

MC: Aalim's impressive work ethic will put him on another level this year, making him a "never before seen Aalim". I believe he will be an impact player and an excellent leader. If Aalim is given an opportunity to start, I believe he will be able to maintain that spot and it will be hard to take it from him.

Aalim Moor and Wil Carter taking it to the moon

Aalim Moor and Wil Carter appear more than a little fired up here while Sammy Spartan looks like he's witnessing a Cape Canaveral takeoff. The pre-game introduction athleticism on display puts Buzz "to infinity ... and beyond!) Lightyear to shame while this evident fiery spirit is just what is needed to get the team ready and focused.

Okay, it's Hawaii on Thursday and then a road game Saturday up in Boise.

Guys, keep bringing this passion and intensity.

Aalim Moor on his freshman year at SJSU

Aalim Moor III will soon be entering his second year at San Jose State. SpartanHoops recently caught up with him and posed a few questions on his college experience to date at San Jose State University. He went from four years at St. Mary's High School (Berkeley) into the Washington Square collegiate environment.

This summer, Aalim's been working out with renowned basketball skills trainer Jeremy Russotti, SJSU assistant strength and conditioning coach Ben Cobian (more on this further down) while also working each of the various Spartan men's basketball summer camps, plus all the Golden State Warrior kid camps held throughout the Bay Area.

His vow is to be 'ready' for Spartan basketball 2.0 come the beginning of October's practices.

SH: After completing your freshman year, what do you see as the differences to date in the level of academics between high school and college?

AM: The differences in academics between high school and college is the workload! In high school, teachers seemed to care more (well at St. Marys) while in college it's all on your shoulders as a student. Also, the college structure of classrooms differ. There are no attendance checks in college, so if you don't go to class, the professor, most of the time, will not notice because there can be 70 or 80 students she/he has to worry about.


SH: With no parents asking 'have you done your homework?' plus practices, games and road trips, how did you manage your coursework load?

AM: I think that the management of my workload was the hardest thing to adjust to. I think growing up, we depend on and at times take for granted the importance our parents have on keeping us focused. I learned the hard way the first semester, by having to stay up late at nights and cramming for tests. Having had those experiences, I think now I'll be able to handle the road trips and workload with greater focus.


SH: Since you have completed your first year -- what was your favorite class so far and why?

AM: My favorite class was African American Studies because it taught me about my heritage and where my ancestors came from. Also the professors, Dr. Millner and Dr. Wilson, were very personable and I feel I learned the most from that class.

SH: What will you be majoring in and why did you decide on that?

AM: I'll be majoring in Communication and minoring in Business. I chose this because I feel that will set me up for my life after basketball.


SH: What was it like to enter a new social setting where you were surrounded by other young adults yet you knew next to no one? Are there any initial social activities planned by SJSU in order for new students to meet and get to know some of all these fellow students?

AM: Yes. The first week we moved in there were activities planned every day for a week encouraging us to get to know our school and fellow school mates. It was really fun and I feel like I made a lot of really good friends out of that experience.


SH: If there is such a thing as a typical workout day for you during this summer, can you describe it in detail so that the Rebounders can better understand what you have done to prepare yourself for your sophomore basketball season?

AM: Well for me, a typical work out week goes like this:

Monday: I work with my skills trainer Jeremy Russotti on my overall game -- ball handling, shooting, skill moves and quickness and awareness. Later that day, I go home and run the hill near my house on Golf Links Road and lift free weights I have in my room.

Tuesday: I am in the weight room with Coach Ben Cobian training my body to get stronger and better prepared for the season. Later that day, I go to the YUH and work on the drills I did Monday just to refine my skills.

(to offer some perspective, Aalim travels from Oakland to Santa Rosa to work with Russotti and then to San Jose to work with Cobian, then repeats the cycle)

Wednesday: same as Monday.

Thursday: same as Tuesday.

Friday: same as Monday and Wednesday.

Clearly, he does not subscribe to Robert M. Hutchins' school of thought: "Whenever I feel like exercise, I lie down until the feeling passes."

Many thanks to Aalim for the interview. We have no idea if he was ever a Boy Scout but he's certainly going to be prepared.

Happy Birthday

Word on the street is that a certain San Jose State Spartan is celebrating birthday #19 today. We recently caught a photo of him sporting the appropriate color.

While the Black Mamba remains Moor's fave, there is another player arriving front and center in the NBA -- Boston's Rajon Rondo -- who is maximizing his opportunities in the current battle between the Celtics and the Cavaliers and certainly worthy of co-allegiance.

The unheralded 6-foot-2, 190 Rondo averaged career highs in points (13.7), assists (9.8) and steals (2.3) this regular season but has gone off the chain of late. Try averaging a mindbending 21.8 points, 13 assists and 8.3 rebounds playing the point in the NBA playoffs.

What excites us is that SpartanHoops sees some Beantown - SJSU personnel similarities.

Such as, Moor checks in at an athletic 6-foot-3 and 190. He plays the point. Defensively oriented, with a pass-first mindset offensively, he can score but prefers setting up teammates. His court style is of an aggressive, physical nature.

We see emulation -- especially here -- as a good thing.

Thanks to Rondo, R-and-R is now standing for much more than rest-and-recovery. Here's hoping A-and-M undergoes a similar re-definition.

Travis Farris with a nice mix on Aalim Moor

Travis Farris is the best video person around the Bay Area for prep and club team basketball footage. His mixes are superb.

Here's a link to one of his latest. It's a nice mix of Aalim Moor in action, the freshman point with the Spartan basketball squad.

Aalim Moor's final high school diary

Here's the final diary entry from backcourter Aalim Moor of St. Mary's High (Berkeley). He and teammate Chris Brew completed their basketball eligibility with a record of 113-20. Only Will Brew, now at Santa Barbara, won more games -- 114 -- as a St. Mary's baller.

Wow! Is that it? It seems like just yesterday when I walked on campus as a skinny little freshman. Four years has flown by so fast. I can say without a doubt it has been the best experience of my life. The people that I have met, the places I've gone and the situations I have faced have shaped and molded me.

St. Mary's won 85% with Moor at the helm

Basketball is my life, I love it and it has loved me back. I am so grateful to the game because it has given me so much. It has given me an outlet for me to express myself.

To me, basketball is just like life in that it has a lot of twists and turns, highs and lows and ups and downs. One second you are on top of the world having nothing but success. All your shots are falling, you are dunking on guys, throwing alleys, hitting cats with dimes, blocking their shots and hitting the game winning basket. The next second your shots aren't falling, you're turning the ball over, can't hit a free throw, getting beat off the dribble and you're losing at the buzzer. Everything I just mentioned has been and will continue to be a major part of my life.

As wild and crazy as that sounds, I wouldn't trade those experiences for anything.

I will always treasure ever practice, every workout, every game, every plane ride, every ride in the car with my dad, every team meeting, every film session, every conversation with my coaches (good or bad) and every time I walked in a gym, especially St. Mary's!

I want to thank all my coaches and teachers at St. Mary's for everything they have done for me. They have helped me mature and grow in ways that I can never thank them enough.

I want to thank my parents, my little sister and all my family for all the love, support, advice and sacrifice they have made for me to follow and chase my hoop dreams.

I want to thank all of the people (even those people whom I didn't know and have never met) who came out to my games and showed me so much love and cheered and encouraged my teammates and I night in and night out.

I want to thank all my teammates whom I have gone to war with, you have always had my back and you know I always had yours, and always will for life!

And I can't forget about all of the haters, doubters and critics who always told me I couldn't do it. I don't know if you knew it or not, but you just gave me extra energy and motivation which fueled my fire and helped me to achieve my dreams. I have to thank you too!

Special thanks to SpartanHoops for allowing me to tell my story. It's all love!

Aalim A. Moor, III

Moor is a natural leader

Here's something we wrote as a companion piece to Aalim's diary:

Six seconds remained in the game. Salesian of Richmond was ahead by one. St. Mary's Chris Brew saw an opening but it quickly closed. He handed the ball off to Aalim Moor who drove to the basket and was fouled. No, wait. The official says it's an offensive foul. Two newspaper reporters blogging the game, Matt Smith and Chace Bryson, offered "Chace and I agree it should have been a no-call." But it wasn't. The Pride of Salesian won, ending the season for St. Mary's and Moor's career playing as a Panther. But in the midst of the combination of raucous celebration, raw hurt and severely sprained shoulder he played with in the last five contests, he still clapped for and acknowledged the opposing team.

Why so? Because of his makeup. He understands that it's not all about him. Moor and Salesian-ites Desmond Simmons, Dom Artis and Jabari Brown go way back. "We've been friends for years, we see each other as brothers and have a bond deeper than basketball." For Moor, comradeship supersedes whatever is happening in the moment.

College life and ball beckons to Moor

Plus, the St. Mary's tenure of the 6-foot-3, 185 pounder included playing in the NorCal finals three years in a row and going to the state finals last season. Weighty disappointment or worse -- a sense of failure -- are not conditions that incubate in an environment surrounded with so many good times.

Moor added, "Playing at a school like St. Mary's with all its history was an honor. Even though we didn't win a state championship, what I gained academically, athletically and personally are wonderful gifts."

Curiously, performing a role in which he agreeingly subjugated his personal numbers for the betterment of his team -- dealing passes leading to scores has kept many a basketball teammate happy regardless of the level -- was not Moor's forté as a youngster. He said, "Earlier, I was a shooter, I would shoot, shoot, shoot. But becoming a passer at St. Mary's was my way of trying to get everyone comfortable. I was good at it and I never worried about my role because we were successful. We had a wonderful team, I had great teammates and we all share memories that we will carry for a lifetime."

So what are Moor's summer plans? In a word, busy. "I'll be going to summer school at San Jose State, playing with the SJSU guys in the West Valley summer league, working out with trainers Anthony Eggleton, Philippe Doherty and Jeremy Russotti and spending some time with friends," Moor offered.

As for his entry into college basketball, Moor said, "I'll go in and work hard and try to get better, trying to pick the brains of the guys there and learn as much as I can." He added, "I want to do good."

He already has.

Update on St. Mary's High (Aalim Moor)

St. Mary's High (Berkeley) has a grudge match game next against Salesian High (Richmond) after taking apart Kennedy High last night. San Jose State signee 6-4 Aalim Moor racked up a line of 15 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds, 3 steals and a pair of dunks.

St. Mary's speeds to win
Pete Elman
Oakland Tribune Correspondent
2/19/2009

You can't coach speed, and you certainly can't beat it, especially when it's in the quick hands and athletic feet of the St. Mary's High boys basketball team.

That speed helped the Panthers defeat visiting Kennedy 71-47 in a Bay Shore Athletic League semifinal on Thursday night.

With the win, No. 2 St. Mary's (24-3) will play No. 1 Salesian for the BSAL title on Saturday at 5 p.m. at Albany High.

St. Mary's took a 35-20 halftime lead and stretched it to a 59-31 margin with a track-meet like third period. Leading the way were Dominique Lee, who finished with 13 points, eight blocks, and six rebounds and senior captain Chris Brew, who added 17 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals.

Brew, who will join his older brother Will next season at UC Santa Barbara, made several spectacular plays in the first half, and Lee made his presence known in the paint with resounding stuffs and breakneck drives to the bucket.

Fourth-seeded Kennedy (16-12) could not get untracked offensively as St. Mary's smothered it with its trademark defense, causing turnovers which resulted in easy baskets, often dunks by Lee and Aalim Moor. Moor finished with 15 points.

"We worked hard on our half-court defense this week," St. Mary's coach Manny Nodar said. "Our goal is to cut off the court and suffocate the opponent's offense."

Kennedy was led by Adonis Leacock's 11 points. Mariano Skinner also added seven points and five rebounds in the loss.

Aalim Moor Diary #3

(6-3 Aalim Moor, gets a monster slam dunk over Salesian High players during the first half of the annual “Rock Game” @ St. Mary’s College in Moraga. Unfortunately, Salesian got the win 57 to 45 and the Rock)

I feel I'm moving in the right direction and have been playing pretty well but I have to rebound the ball better and get after it every play on defense.

Right now, my personal aim and goal is to stay focused, take care of the ball, work harder, and be ready for every situation I may have to deal with on the floor.

The team has been winning and playing pretty well, but not up to our standards. Our energy level has been a little low at times, and that’s unacceptable. We got some payback from an earlier loss against Monte Vista as we beat them 61 to 42 at the MLK Classic. But we laid an egg and flopped against Salesian. We totally took them too lightly and didn’t have the right mental approach to the game. They beat us, and I give them credit. It was what it was. We will see them again and it’s going to be what it’s going to be! I like our chances and I know for a fact we will be mentally and physically ready...Believe that!

But we have been getting it done since then, beating teams by an average of about 25 points a game. We are 20-3 and gearing up for the playoff run, trying to finish league strong three more games to go.

I just found out I was one of the nominees for the McDonalds All-American Game 2009 from another future Spartan, Anthony Dixon, who was also a nominee!

As far as the classroom, that is going well also. I made the Honor Roll and I'm really enjoying my senior year so far.

I'll write again after the BSAL playoffs.

Go Panthers...Go Spartans!

Aalim III

Here's the list of nominated California prep basketballers:

2009 McDonald's All American Games Boys Nominees

Felix Mapanda Patterson High School
Michael Mayes Long Beach Polytechnic High School
Bobby McCall Newark Memorial High School
Jacob McLemore Scripps Ranch High School
DeAndre Medlock Clovis West High School
Jules Montgomery Chaminade College Preparatory
Aalim Moor St. Mary's College High School
Darius Morris Windward School
Reeves Nelson Modesto Christian High School
Roberto Nelson Santa Barbara High School
Eric Obeysekere Miramonte High School
Dominique O'Connor Westchester High School
Kyle Odister Rio Americano High School
Deend Parker Abraham Lincoln High School
Demetrius Perkins James Monroe High School
Damon Powell McClymonds High School
Ken Rancifer El Cerrito High School
Kyle Richardson Mayfair High School
Zack Robbins Upland High School
D'Angelo Scott Lynwood High School
DeRonn Scott Etiwanda High School
Davon Shelton East Bakersfield High School
Renardo Sidney Fairfax High School
Brandon Smith De La Salle High School
Evan Smith Calabasas High School
Michael Snaer Rancho Verde High School
Anthony Stover Windward School
Ryan Sypkens Franklin High School
Chase Tapley Sacramento High School
Xavier Thames Pleasant Grove High School
Brandan Walton King Drew Medical Magnet High School
David Wear Mater Dei High

Aalim Moor III sends us his latest diary entry

As I get ready to start my last and final BSAL league run for St. Mary's High, I wanted to give you an update on how my pre-season ended up.

I was pleased with the way we played during this pre-season. We ended up being 12-2 and really came together as a team. Guys really accepted their roles and played their positions. For me, it was an eye-opening experience. As I told you before, all summer long I worked out hard with my strength and conditioning trainer, hours of skill development with my coaches and shot thousands of shots on my own. So far it has all paid off!

Here are my numbers from the final (2) events of Pre Season:

Justin Sienna 15 points, 8 assists, 4 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 blocks
Marin Catholic Tourney 14 points, 7 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 block

St. Mary’s College High School (Pre-Season ’08)

12 points per game, 6 assists per game, 4 rebounds per game, 2 steals per game and 1 blocked shot per game.

Highlights and Achievements (Pre-Season ’08)

*** 22 points vs. Monte Vista at the “Marin Catholic Tournament”
*** All Tournament Team “Marin Catholic Tournament”
*** All Tournament Team “Scattini Tournament”
*** 12 assists vs. Sacred Heart Cathedral, SF

Summary:

This was the final pre-season of my high school career. I feel that it was by far one of the most fun and memorable ones. Even though our record isn’t what it was last year at this time (14-0), I feel our team is as close as it has ever been.

Going into league, we plan to play every game like it is our last because technically it is for the seniors. I am expected to be a leader on this team. My coaches have asked me to do a lot this year on the basketball court, but mostly in terms of leadership, and I’m prepared to play my position.

I’ve been attending some SJSU (pre-game, half-time and post-game) games recently, I feel really comfortable with the SJSU team and the coaching staff and cannot wait until I am able to get up there and get to work. But in the mean time, I want to finish this year off in the BSAL with a bang plus get ready for a rematch with Monte Vista on January 17th at Cal Berkeley...We owe them one!

I will write again about half way into league play.

Aalim Moor stars again

His team fell but San Jose State backcourt signee Aalim Moor enjoyed a high scoring game:

Monte Vista elbows out St. Mary's
Will McCulloch
San Francisco Chronicle
December 30, 2008

(12-29) -- Monte Vista's boys basketball team took some knocks but held on for a 67-56 victory over St. Mary's-Berkeley in a meeting of two of the Metro Area's top teams Monday night at Marin Catholic in Kentfield... ...Monte Vista-Danville, The Chronicle's fourth-ranked team, led 46-29...but second-ranked St. Mary's (10-2) - which was led by Aalim Moor's 22 points - went on a 21-5 run and trailed 51-50 midway through the fourth quarter...

Aalim Moor's diary -- first installment

(very top photo is Aalim holding trophies for his selection to the Scattini All-Tournament team and for St. Mary's winning the event -- second photo is of Aalim shooting a jumper during the tourney)

Aalim Moor III is one of the three high school seniors who signed with Coach Nessman and San Jose State in November. Aalim attends St. Mary's High School in Berkeley and plays the point for Coach Manny Nodar. Here is his initial diary entry:

Well my senior year is officially here and the hype is in full effect. I signed my N. L.O.I. to attend San Jose State University, appeared in ESPN's Rise Magazine, was selected by Rivals as one of the“Top Dogs” and the top point guard coming into the WAC in the recruiting class of 2009, and our team got ranked by the San Francisco Chronicle as the #3 team in the Bay Area. That was all really cool. After all that being said, it’s time to get past all that hype and get down to business.

Coming into the season, I have big expectations for my team and myself after last year’s 33-2 record and getting to the state championship game.

The season started off with me having two great back-to-back games. Galileo was our first game and we handled them pretty easily winning by 27 points. I had 13 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds and a two-handed dunk in limited minutes because of the amount we were winning by.

The next game was against a good but young Bishop O’Dowd team in front of a sold-out crowd at St. Mary’s. The atmosphere was electric and I was extremely fired up! We were at full strength and played hard, we were determined to prove that we were the better team. The whole game was close until 1:15 in the 4th when I hit a three-pointer at the end of the shot clock and a fast break dunk from Dominique Lee. We won the game by a score of 64-57. I had 19 points. 6 assists and 5 rebounds.

Our next test was against a very big and physical Sheldon team from Sacramento. We came out to a slow start but picked it up going into halftime. After a buzzer-beating 3 pointer I hit from a couple steps in front of half court, we went up 43 to 39. We came out the second half and went on a 8-0 run extending the lead to 12 with about 6 minutes left in the 3rd quarter. Sheldon cut the lead to 3 going into the 4th. The game went back and forth until Sheldon began to pull away late in the 4th. We ended up losing our first game 62-57. I had 13 points. 4 assists 4 rebounds and 3 turnovers. I really needed to play harder and rebound more this game.

The next 3 games were all down to the wire. First we played a big Miramonte team. I think we as a team underestimated this game and just scratched it off as an easy win. We went back and forth and I ended up fouling out with 1:02 left in the game but my team showed maturity and ended up pulling out the win 77-74.

Our next two games would be without one of our captains and best players Chris Brew because of a bad groin injury. We played Sacred Heart next and their best player and fellow future WAC player (Fresno State), Jerry Brown. We came out very slow and went down 12 to 2. But one of our best qualities is our willingness to stay with our system. We cut the lead and went into halftime up two. We then came out and showed why we are ranked where we are and why we get the love and respect we do. We won the game 62 to 59.

Castlemont was the next game. This was a homecoming for me because if I had gone to public school in Oakland that would be the school I should have attended. Again we came out slow early and picked it up later. The game was close but the last 3 plays decided the game. With about 1:13 left in the game, I hit a three pointer, next came a backdoor lay-up from Dominique, and finally a putback lay-up from me ended it. We won 51 to 46.

These were great wins for our confidence as a team especially with Chris being out. I averaged 12 points. 5 assists. and 4 rebounds over these three games.

Our next games were in the Scattini Tournament in Salinas, California, hosted by Palma High School. Our first game was against Archbishop Mitty. It was an ugly game filled with a lot of turnovers and bad plays by both teams but we ended up pulling away winning 56 to 47.

The next two games we got back to playing Panther basketball -- running up and down the court, pressuring the ball and making sure we didn’t take any plays off. Our coaches were extremely pleased with our effort and really let us know during timeouts by encouraging and having fun with us. My primary focus during this tournament was (obviously) winning and my secondary focus was really concentrating on my defense. My uncle (William Brew) has really been giving me some good information and been in my ear about that aspect of the game. Being a lock down defender is really important to me and I'm working hard on trying to take that part of my game to the next level. I was named to the All Tournament Team along with my teammates Dominique Lee (Jr.), Glenn Baral (Fr.) and Chris Brew was named MVP.

We are 7-1 and looking to go into this week’s game against Justin-Sienna with a lot of focus on the little things.

I will write again soon.

Aalim Moor, III

More Aalim Moor photos

Here are three additional photos. The first is the St. Mary's team after winning the Scattini Tournament at Palma High -- Aalim is holding the trophy in the center of the picture. The second is Aalim defending the ball and the third photo is Aalim handling the ball.

An Aalim Moor sighting

We ventured out as a fan -- not a reporter -- to the Nor Cal Tip Off Classic at Newark Memorial High on Saturday and the last of the seven games featured Sheldon High (Sacramento) matched up against St. Mary's High (Berkeley). Call it the marquee matchup of the event.

That, of course, meant seeing Spartan signee Aalim Moor in action at the point for St. Mary's. He nailed a pair of treys, including a 24-footer at the buzzer to end the first half.

What stood out the most to us about Aalim was his defensive tenacity. He picked up his man in the backcourt and stayed with him all down the court -- there were no easy bring-up-the-ball possessions for his matchup.

Aalim finished with 13 points.

St. Mary's lost 71-65 primarily because of Darius Nelson, the younger brother of the Golden State Warriors DeMarcus Nelson. The younger Nelson is a load and a half in the paint and just a sophomore but checks in at 6-5 or so and seemingly 225 or more pounds.

Do catch St. Mary's High if you have the opportunity. Coach Manny Nodar has a collection of talents who go 100% all the time.

We wanted to make you aware of a portion of a Rivals article from last week that directly relates to San Jose State basketball.

Rivals posted something quite unique on the opening day of the letter-of-intent signings, selecting the best recruits by position in the various conferences.

Bay Area high schoolers who received the honors, included Chris Brew in the Big West Conference, Aalim Moor and Jerry Brown in the Western Athletic Conference, and Tim Harris in the West Coast Conference.

Here's what appeared:

November 12, 2008

Top Dogs: Best at each position

Rivals.com recruiting staff

Western Athletic Conference

Point guard: Aalim Moor, St. Mary's High, San Jose State
Shooting guard: Mark McLaughlin, Nevada
Small forward: Jerry Brown, Fresno State
Power forward: Devonte Elliott, Nevada
Center: Greg Smith, Fresno State

One more Aalim Moor photo

Somehow we forgot to include this one in the photo montage presented the other day featuring new Spartan Aalim Moor.

What's especially important about this particular shot taken in 2001 is that it features Aalim and Brian Shaw, himself yet another in the long line of ballers from Oakland. Shaw is currently an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers.

We should title the phot "The lineage continues..."

More Aalim Moor III photos

Here you go with additional photos of Aalim Moor III, the new San Jose State Spartan.

Meet Aalim Moor

(top photo is of the entire multi-generational Moor family -- photo just above is Moor signing his letter-of-intent)

Here's the third article on San Jose State's newest men's basketball recruits. We have known Aalim Moor and the Moor family for some time and they will be a tremendous addition to Spartan basketball.

11 questions with new Spartan Aalim Moor

It's not news that St. Mary's High point Aalim Moor is bound for San Jose State even though it's now an official signed, sealed and delivered matter. However, there are a number of tangential subjects to the earning of this college basketball scholarship, many of which are not well known. Recently, we had the opportunity to interview Moor about this and here is what we learned:

SH - There is a long tradition of young men in the Oakland area landing athletic scholarships, especially so in basketball. What does being one of the latest to do so mean to you?

AM - It means everything. I’ve grown up playing basketball all over Oakland since I was 5 years old. I played on five-foot courts at the Eastlake YMCA, CYO games at St. Elizabeth, ONBL games at Frick Junior High School and some wild and crazy AAU games at Rainbow Recreation Center and Bushrod Park. My Dad use to take me to see all the top guys play all around the city. He used to either coach or work out most of them so I was always around the scene. I really looked up to them all! I still have an Oakland Tribune article pinned up on my bedroom wall from June 30th 2005 with a picture of Quentin Thomas (North Carolina), Armondo Surat (USF) and Ayinde Ubaka (Cal) on the cover. That was all the motivation I needed. I take a lot of pride in being from Oakland. To be a part of the continuing tradition of great guards playing D-1 college ball coming out of the “Town” means everything to me.


SH - As you have gone from a high school freshman to a senior as a basketball player, who was Aalim Moor III then and who is he now?

AM - As a freshman on varsity, I was a skinny and non-athletic but confident player who had an okay feel for the varsity game. Being a freshman on varsity felt like a small fish in a big pond. I knew I could play but being real I knew that it would take time for me to actually show my talents because there were proven seniors ahead of me. As a senior now I feel like a shark in a fish tank. I feel the tables have turned. I still have things to prove to myself but my confidence as a player has really gone up. So I would say the difference between 14-year-old Aalim and 17-year-old Aalim is that his game has evolved and matured.


SH - As you have gone from a high school freshman to a senior, how have you evolved as a person? Has your perspective changed?

AM - When I was a freshman at Saint Mary’s, I was a wide-eyed, nervous, shy and reserved person who didn’t know what high school had to bring. As I grew up and began to realize what high school was about I kind of came out of my shell and was more social. Now as a senior I’m a really open, outgoing person that tries to mentor the freshman coming in because I know how I felt coming in not knowing what to expect.


SH - You played club team basketball with the Oakland Soldiers and then finished up last season with the Bay Area Hoosiers. Phil Doherty of the Hoosiers has a reputation for assisting players in further developing their skills sets. Can you provide some specifics regarding how working with him benefited you?

AM - Working with Coach Phil helped me take my game to the next level -- he is a teacher of the game. He taught me how to play the right way by working. with me on cleaning up all the aspects of my game. We worked on my ball handling, my jump shot, footwork, post moves, defense, court awareness, rebounding and my perimeter game. He teaches you all the little tricks you need to be “one step ahead” of your opponent mentally and physically. I’ve been to a lot of skills camps and worked with some really good trainers, Coach Phil is one of the best I’ve seen. He works harder than anybody in the gym. He really cares about you as a person. My confidence and knowledge of the game really increased. If you consider yourself to be a serious player and you really want to work hard and get better then you better go work out with Coach Phil and the Hoosiers.


SH - You do physical training with Anthony Eggleton at Advanced Sports Training in the East Bay. How has that benefitted you?

AM - Coach Ant is the reason I am the player I am today. He has worked with all the top players in the Bay Area with strength and conditioning. He not only works on getting you stronger physically, he works on getting you stronger and more focused mentally and spiritually as well. When I first started working with him about seven months ago, I was 170 pounds with a vertical jump of about 31 inches. Today I weigh 184 with a vertical jump of about 37 inches and climbing with every work out. I feel stronger, more athletic, faster, more aggressive and have a better diet. Coach Ant is the Truth.


SH - The latest NCP rankings recently came out and ranked you #21 and had a critique of your game. What was your reaction?

AM - Honestly, I was a little surprised they ranked me so low. I felt I had a very good spring and summer on the circuit and got a lot bigger, stronger and more athletic. But hey, I can’t cry about it or complain. The 2009 class is loaded with talented players and I'm honored NCP put me on the list with such quality players. Most of these guys are friends anyway, I'm happy for them. As far as the "critique" about my game, I just take it all in stride at this point. I know who I am, what I have accomplished and what I plan to get done. I've had to deal with certain people always downplaying my game and telling me what I can't do. But the teammates I’ve played with and the opponents I play against know exactly what’s real about my game. I’m extremely motivated and I plan on going hard this year. I'm not backing down from anybody; I'm on a mission.


SH - Some have said that to a degree you have 'submerged' aspects of your game for the good of your teams(s) -- meaning there are aspects of your game you don't need to display because getting the ball upcourt and to your teammates in scoring position are your focus. If this is true, has this role been difficult for you?

AM - I would agree with that -- to a point, your statement is true. I have submerged aspects of my game for the good of teams I’ve played on. I consider myself to be a leader. And as a leader, you have to take care of the people around you and keep them happy. That’s my strength, that’s what I do. But at times, I know it has hurt the way some people view my overall game. This is my senior year and I still plan on doing whatever I have to do to help our team win but I have been working out hard this summer on all aspects of my game and I plan on bringing it all to the table.


SH - Why was San Jose State your choice?

AM - It’s the best place for me academically, socially and athletically. The campus is beautiful, the weather is always nice and it’s a cool city. They have my major (Sports Management/Business Administration) and I wanted to stay in the Bay Area. As far as basketball goes, I feel San Jose State is a perfect fit. When I was going through my recruitment over a year ago you asked me what I was looking for in a college and a coach and I said “I was looking for a playing style that gets up and down the floor, sort of a controlled chaos but with a play-running structure when the break isn’t there." As for a college coach, I wanted "a coach I can relate to but not a buddy type -- rather one I can be friends with but who is running the show." That’s what the WAC is, that’s what San Jose State University is and that’s who Coach Nessman is. Plus, we are going to have a really good team with some really good players.


SH - What do you 'bring to the table' with your game/what can SJSU fans expect?

AM - I will bring a winning attitude and be a team player. All my life I have been expected to be a leader on and off the court -- it’s just how I was raised. Coming into this situation will be a little different at first. I will be coming in as a freshman with a lot of established veteran players that have been there already putting in their work. I know I’ll have a lot to learn and have a lot to prove and I promise I’ll work hard to earn my place on the team and the trust of my teammates and coaches.


SH - What is your relationship with [St. Mary's Coach] Manny Nodar? How has playing for him effected your basketball development?

AM - We have a special relationship -- he trusts me and I trust him. Coach Nodar taught me how to be a winner and to go hard at all times. When I was a freshman he told me “half an effort is no effort at all” and I never forgot that. I respect him a lot. I want to win that last game of the year for him.


SH - The new high school season is almost upon us -- how will St. Mary's do this season?

AM - I think we will do well this year. I know people have certain ideas and expectations for us but our job as a team is to take the expectations, appreciate them, and let them go. This year will be interesting because we have a huge target on our back and every team will be playing us like its their world championship. I expect us to go as far into the playoffs as we did last year but having a different result at the end.