It didn't take long for Omari Moore to make his presence felt for San Jose State men's basketball last season. As a freshman coming out of Middlebrooks Academy, the Pasadena native was looked to early and often to help carry the load for the Spartans, and the young player delivered. Arriving in San Jose with high expectations after an outstanding lone prep season that saw him averaged 20 points and six assists per contest, Moore was thrown into the lineup immediately and ended up appearing in all 31 games with 20 starts.
Moore made jaws drop with his high-flying ability to throw down spectacular dunks, which he did on multiple occasions, but it was his defensive play that really made an impact on the court. The 6-foot-6 guard was one of the top defenders on the team and was often tasked with taking on the opponent's top scorers. Offensively, he averaged just five points and two assists per contest. He consistently improved throughout the season and ended the year on a high note with a season-best 17-point performance in the Mountain West Tournament vs. New Mexico. Moore also put his name in both the school and MW Tournament record books by making a school and tournament record eight steals in that contest vs. the Lobos.
While certainly impressive on the court, off the court Moore arguably shines even brighter as the true definition of a scholar-athlete. Majoring in Kinesiology, he was named both a Mountain West Scholar-Athlete and earned Academic All-Mountain West honors for his work in the classroom. Learn more about Omari in the week's 1-on-1 feature.
Q: How do you think you have improved from year one to year two?
OMARI: I think mentally I've become a lot more confident, which is a really big part of the game. Also I have improved my jump shot.
Q: What expectations have you set for both yourself and the team for 2020-21?
OMARI: Personally I feel like I need to do whatever it is my team needs me to do to be successful. As a team I want to have a winning record, and make a run in the conference tournament.
Q: How important are academics in your life?
OMARI: Growing up, my parents always made sure it was important for me to excel in academics, so it's been really important.
Q: What was your personal favorite moment from last season?
OMARI: My favorite moment was playing back home at UCLA in front of my friends and family.
Q: What is something you have learned here at SJSU? Can be about basketball or life in general.
OMARI: I feel like I've learned how to deal with adversity.
Q: Is there anyone that you model your game after?
OMARI: I try to take different things from different players that have played in the league, but I don't think I can pinpoint just one. However, Kobe has had the biggest influence on me.
Q: Who was the toughest player you faced last season?
OMARI: Either Sam Merrill or Jalen Harris
Q: What is something you have learned from Coach Prioleau and staff?
OMARI: I think Coach Pri and the rest of the staff have enhanced my ability to make reads off of screens.
Q: Did you expect to have as big of an impact in your first season that you had when you first signed on?
OMARI: I came in wanting to make an impact, but there were areas that I impacted more than expected.
Q: What areas of your game do you hope to improve upon this season?
OMARI: I really want to continue to develop a consistent 3-point shot.
Q: What is something interesting about you that fans may not already know?
OMARI: I have a little bit of Japanese in me.
Q: What is your favorite film?
OMARI: My favorite movie of all time is probably Space Jam
Q: What advice can you offer to freshmen just beginning their college careers?
OMARI: It's a really long season and you're gonna have your ups and downs. Dont' beat yourself up about the
lows and don't worship every high.
