The James Madison men’s basketball team saw one of its alums move one step closer to making it to the National Basketball Association (NBA), as former four-year starter Devon Moore (2008-13) was selected by the Delaware 87ers in the third round of the 2014 NBA D-League Draft on Saturday.
The 87ers picked Moore with the 41st overall pick in the draft. He was the fifth player taken in the third round.
“It’s a blessing having the opportunity to play for the 87ers and be able to still play pro basketball and do something you love,” Moore said by phone on Sunday.
Moore, who played more minutes than any other player in JMU history, completed his collegiate career with 1,317 points, averaging 10.6 points per game in his 126 games played. He ranks just outside the top 10 among the program’s career scoring leaders. He set a new school record with 502 career assists while also tallying 431 rebounds and 116 steals.
Moore was named to the All-Colonial Athletic Association Third Team his senior season in 2012-13 while leading the Dukes to their first CAA Championship title in 19 years. Following his Madison career, he played one season for a Hungarian professional team, Lami-Ved Kormend.
“My work ethic has increased every year,” Moore said. “My last three years at JMU, I stayed throughout the summers and worked harder and became stronger and quicker. It prepared me to better my work ethic and drive to continue to play basketball.”
Moore was one of seven former NCAA basketball players to be selected by the 87ers Saturday. They also selected Cal State Fullerton’s D.J. Seeley (19th), Texas A&M’s Jamal Jones (30th), Elon’s Sebastian Koch (35th), Tennessee’s Kenny Hall (55th), Central Arkansas’ LaQuentin Miles (73rd) and Norfolk State’s Brandon Goode (91st).
He was also one of just two former CAA players to be drafted as he was joined by Delaware’s Jarvis Threatt (86th) while conference newcomer Elon had Koch taken a round before Moore by Delaware.
Moore reported to the 87ers on Sunday morning and begins training camp on Monday in Newark.
About the Delaware 87ers: The 87ers (nicknamed the Sevens) are the NBA D-League affiliate team of the Philadelphia 76ers. They play home games at the Bob Carpenter Center (home to the University of Delaware Blue Hens). The team was founded in 2007 as the Utah Flash and moved to Delaware in April 2013.
About the NBA D-League: Founded in 2001, the NBA’s official minor league is the NBA Development League. The league has been a proven developer of talent, as more than 1/4 of players currently playing the NBA were previously on D-League teams. The D-League plays 50 regular-season games, plus postseason. The season runs from November to April.
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Chris Graham
