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Basketball season will be here before we know it. While the official season start date has been moved back to the week of November 25, teams all over the nation are already practicing and preparing for the most wonderful time of the year.
Here at Arkansas Fight, Ryan Bolding and myself will previewing a different player each week and what to expect this season. Next up is Moses Moody.
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#5 Moses Moody – FR. 6-6 205
Moody begins his Arkansas career with high expectations. He has yet to play a single minute of college basketball, but several 2021 NBA Mock Drafts already have him slated to be a 1st round draft pick. Given his ability and list of accomplishments as a high schooler, the hype is warranted.
As a sophomore at North Little Rock, Moody averaged 18.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 2.1 steals, and 1.4 blocks. He was named tournament MVP while leading NLR to a state title. Moody then transferred to national powerhouse Monteverde Academy in Florida. As a senior, Moody helped lead Monteverde to a perfect 25-0 record while averaging 11.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.8 assists on 60.1%(!) shooting from the field with 46.9% shooting from 3. His efficiency was through the roof!
All of those accomplishments resulted in Moody being a composite 4-Star ranked #41 in the 2020 class and the highest rated recruit to sign with Arkansas since Bobby Portis in 2013.
Moody joins the Razorbacks along with 10 other scholarship newcomers, but fans are by far the most excited about him wearing the Razorback uniform. Before Isaiah Joe decided to go to the NBA, the pressure on Moody wasn’t very high. In my opinion, that has changed.
With Joe’s departure, more will be asked of Moody. For Arkansas to have a great season, Moody will need to produce at a high level. We know what Justin Smith, Vance Jackson, and Desi Sills can and should do. Their production alone can give Arkansas a solid season. In order to take the next step to a Sweet 16, Moody is the key.
We all know that Moody will be a great shooter from deep, but I am most excited to see how well he defends and slashes to the basket. If he does both of things well, then there is no reason to believe he won’t be a 1st round draft pick in the 2021 NBA Draft.
For more Arkansas Basketball coverage, follow Ben Brandon on Twitter @Hawghoops.