Jai Moore’s first summer playing on the road was an eye-opening experience — for both her and the college coaches watching her.
The Midwood rising senior guard had never played high-level travel ball before, opting instead to compete locally. She changed that this summer, competing with New Heights.
It showed her what she needed to do to play at the highest level, and showed coaches that she’s a kid worthy of a Division-I scholarship.
“I needed to break out and get more opportunities other than playing local,” Moore said. “There are a lot of underrated players in New York City and they will never get known or seen if they don’t go anywhere.”
She came back to Brooklyn with offers from Long Island University, Niagara, Howard, and Detroit. Moore also has interest from Mount St. Mary’s, Stony Brook, Hofstra, Binghamton, Georgia State, and Sacred Heart.
She wowed coaches at the Blue Chip event in April. Moore averaged 20 points and seven assists a game there, according to New Heights and Medgar Evers coach Mike Toro. She continued to play well throughout the summer
“She is one of the best guards in the city,” Toro said. “This year she had a chance to prove it against some of the best players in the country.”
Moore averaged 15.3 points and 3.9 rebounds per game for Midwood, thanks to a mid-range shooting game most players don’t posses at this stage of their career. Playing with New Heights allowed her to expand her duties. Moore was asked to play point guard at times, and thus prove to coaches she could play both positions. Toro also praised Midwood coach Mike Moore, no relation, for getting her ready to take the next step.
Toro said playing point guard made her learn to worry less about scoring and learn how to make the players around her better. She has focused on getting stronger, improving her ball handling and becoming a better defender.
“She still has a lot to work on and get better at, but I think actually going on the road and playing against these other teams, she started to realize that,” Toro said.
Moore said she learned that you couldn’t give anything but your best at all times to compete with the elite players in the country. She will try to bring that mindset to Midwood next season — along with an increased confidence in her ability and role.
“I think I should be a little bit more vocal and help my team a little more,” Moore said.
Realizing she needed to get out on the road in order to brighten her future worked out exactly how Moore had hoped. She improved as a player, and has increased her options to play in college next year.
“The kid is good,” Toro said. “But unless less you had a chance to go watch Midwood High School or one of the local tournaments during the summertime, nobody really knew about her.”
