(2017) PF Clifton Moore Jr. to IU

[Brass Cannon]

Just now, Class of '66 Old Fart said:

In your humble opinion is this a + or a - in the Wilkes recruitment?

Gotta be a plus. Right?  Right?  Please?

[Class of '66 Old Fart]

From Osterman and the Indpls. Star.

2017 forward Clifton Moore commits to IU

Zach Osterman, zach.osterman@indystar.com 5:55 p.m. EDT October 2, 2016

   

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(Photo: Matt Kryger/IndyStar)

BLOOMINGTON – High-profile AAU programs, with strong shoe-company ties, kept coming for Clifton Moore.

A late-blossoming, unusually skilled 6-10 forward from suburban Philadelphia, Moore attracted his share of attention. But he wouldn’t leave Hoopdreamz, the program he’d played with since elementary school.

“He never left us when all the shoe-company teams came, because of the relationships with our guys,” said Moore’s coach, Jonathan Michels. “I don’t know if there’s one thing you can put your finger on. He’s a religious kid, and he’s really a family kid. For him, it’s just a matter of being some place and getting that feel that it feels right.”

That deep value of loyalty, as much as anything, led Moore to commit to Indiana on Sunday, Michels told IndyStar.

A three-star prospect who only landed on IU’s radar in July and just picked up an offer less than three weeks ago, Moore committed following a weekend official visit to Bloomington. He announced his decision on Twitter.

I want to thank all my coaches and schools that recruited me,” Moore said on Twitter. “I am proud to announce that I will be committing to Indiana University.”

A three-star prospect, according to the 247Sports Composite, Moore is the No. 46 power forward in his class.

But Michels cautioned against pigeon-holing his former pupil – whose wingspan stretches to 7-3 – into just one position.

“Minimum, he’s gonna be able to play the wing and play the four spot,” Michels said, adding that Moore sometimes initiated his team’s offense, acting as a point guard.

“There’s times that he bounced the ball for us and we initiated offense through him,” he said. “The sky is the limit.”

IU assistant coach Chuck Martin first made contact in July, during the late-summer evaluation period. He kept in touch through the month, and Indiana officially offered in mid-September.

Moore also held offers from Northwestern, Boston College, Ole Miss, George Washington and Temple among others. Pitt, Xavier and Villanova were all showing interest.

He visited Ole Miss recently, and was actually scheduled to be in Evanston, Ill. next weekend. But plans changed Sunday.

“He’s really a comfort-level kid,” Michels said. “He really is comfortable with coach (Tom) Crean and coach Martin. I think he came this weekend with the idea that, ‘If it is what I think it’s gonna be, then I’m not leaving.’”

Moore becomes Indiana’s third commitment in the current senior class, alongside Justin Smith, a Chicago-area forward who committed last week over co-finalist Villanova, and Al Durham a Georgia guard who has been in the fold for nearly a year now.

Durham also took his official visit to IU this weekend.

The Hoosiers are now scheduled to be oversigned by two players in the current class, with just one senior, forward Collin Hartman, on roster. They might also have to address attrition from the NBA draft, with underclassmen like Thomas Bryant, OG Anunoby and James Blackmon Jr. all potential early entrants.

But before Moore’s own college career begins, Michels said he will need to begin building a more college-ready body.

For a player who just turned 17 in August, Michels doesn’t see Moore hitting his ceiling any time soon. In fact, he’s willing to bet that ceiling is higher than just Indiana.

“The biggest thing, he’s gotta get stronger, especially in that league,” Michels said. “I’m partial, but I think he’s gonna end up being an NBA player. For a guy his size, he’s so skilled.”

[hoosierpap]

4 minutes ago, Class of '66 Old Fart said:

In your humble opinion is this a + or a - in the Wilkes recruitment?

I certainly don't think it hurts. How much it helps? I don't know. Kris knows no one is taking his minutes so it isn't like there's a playing time issue. What IU can do is show that they have someone in his class to play the 4 and have added overall frontcourt depth. That shows Kris that he'll be on the wing

[Class of '66 Old Fart]

1 minute ago, hoosierpap said:

I certainly don't think it hurts. How much it helps? I don't know. Kris knows no one is taking his minutes so it isn't like there's a playing time issue. What IU can do is show that they have someone in his class to play the 4 and have added overall frontcourt depth. That shows Kris that he'll be on the wing

Which is Wilkes' clearly stated (maybe even adamant) desire correct?

[hoosierpap]

Just now, Class of '66 Old Fart said:

Which is Wilkes' clearly stated (maybe even adamant) desire correct?

Yes, and IU is being negatively recruited on this front.

[HoosierAloha]

Yes, and IU is being negatively recruited on this front.

So does IU now turn to those negatively recruiting and go...

Edit: in the western direction

[bnkepner]

Over at Inside the Hall Alex spoke with a member of the staff or someone close to the staff( he didn't name names) that said the staff is beyond excited for this commitment. According to the same source Crean believes that Moore is the most undervalued player he has every recruited and secured a commitment from.

[HoosierAloha]

Over at Inside the Hall Alex spoke with a member of the staff or someone close to the staff( he didn't name names) that said the staff is beyond excited for this commitment. According to the same source Crean believes that Moore is the most undervalued player he has every recruited and secured a commitment from.

Wow, not sure if it's just Crean speak of not but pap has said something close to the same. Looking forward to it. If we get a CWat type player I would be more than happy.

[bnkepner]

1 minute ago, HoosierAloha said:

Wow, not sure if it's just Crean speak of not but pap has said something close to the same. Looking forward to it. If we get a CWat type player I would be more than happy.

Also on Inside the Hall or somewhere that Chuck Martin was recruiting him kind of incognito for months as to not draw the attention of other programs to Moore. 

[Hovadipo]

Number-wise (recruit rankings), this class isn't overwhelming. And that's the beauty of it. So far we have three very, very good kids that are "program guys". On top of that, it's starting to look like two of the three (Al and Moore) are going to be underrated when it's time to evaluate the class, meaning that we started out with two studs that few knew about and a mid-100 kid that could do big things. Add a Wilkes to that class and a Waters or big and you're looking at the makings of one of those "Holy shart do you remember that 2017 class?" classes.


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[IUsafety]

Per Clifton Moore Jr.

I am proud to join a program rich in history and tradition.. Go Hoosiers!!!



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[WayneFleekHoosier]

Clifton Moore is one of the prospects that escaped me this summer. Had offers from Ole Miss, St. John's & others. Heard really good things.

From Evan Daniels


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[Stuhoo]

1 hour ago, bnkepner said:

Crean believes that Moore is the most undervalued player he has every recruited and secured a commitment from.

You guys realize that would include OG and Victor.

[HoosierAloha]

Clifton Moore is one of the prospects that escaped me this summer. Had offers from Ole Miss, St. John's & others. Heard really good things.

From Evan Daniels


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Anything he said or just "From Evan Daniels"

[HoosierAloha]

1 hour ago, Hovadipo said:

Number-wise (recruit rankings), this class isn't overwhelming. And that's the beauty of it. So far we have three very, very good kids that are "program guys". On top of that, it's starting to look like two of the three (Al and Moore) are going to be underrated when it's time to evaluate the class, meaning that we started out with two studs that few knew about and a mid-100 kid that could do big things. Add a Wilkes to that class and a Waters or big and you're looking at the makings of one of those "Holy shart do you remember that 2017 class?" classes.


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If we land a Wilkes and Waters or a big this is about what I'd like to see from recruiting on a consistent basis.

(1) stud (Wilkes) - possible one and done talent regardless of position

(1-2) solid (Smith, Waters or big) - immediate rotation guys who that will be around 3+ years

(1-2) potentials (Durham, Moore) - potential to contribute big as an upperclassman

I guess Moore could be moved up into the solid category by some accounts.

[Never Daunted]

I haven't been able to find a recruiting site with Clifton Moore on it, what was the one that had him shooting up like 40 spots in their ranking?

[Class of '66 Old Fart]

More narrative on Moore:  https://indiana.rivals.com/news/bossi-indiana-adds-intriguing-commitment-in-clifton-moore

 

[Alford Bailey]

Wouldnt follow the shoe companies probably has something to do with this kid not ranking higher.

[WayneFleekHoosier]

I haven't been able to find a recruiting site with Clifton Moore on it, what was the one that had him shooting up like 40 spots in their ranking?

247


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[Trish]

Not much great video on him. Looks lengthy which is good. 

 

The first step in this process is getting him here in June and adding 10-15 pounds on him. He struggled to get good positioning inside, some more meat on him should help him with that.