FAYETTEVILLE — Last Friday, Arkansas coach Eric Musselman gave Razorbacks basketball fans a peek behind the curtain on an Instagram Live when it came to the signing of one member of his 2020 recruiting class.
Musselman, who wrapped up his first season at Arkansas with a 20-12 record, said he experienced a first as a college coach thanks to Montverde (Fla.) Academy guard Moses Moody, the former North Little Rock star who chose the Razorbacks over programs such as Michigan, Virginia and Kansas.
The coach noted that Arkansas' staff was not allowed to send commitments their national letters of intent until 12:01 a.m. on April 15. Moody, though, did not officially sign with the Razorbacks until two days later. Why?
"He and his family wanted to read the entire NLI, and then Moses asked us questions about that, kind of what we call his contract," Musselman said. "It’s really unique. The thoroughness is really refreshing.
"I was glad that it took an extra two days because you now have learned a lot more about the process and what that contract, or NLI, is. I know you’re going to read your scouting report like that, so I’m excited."
Given the magnitude of his decision, Moody said he wanted to be 100 percent sure he understood what he was putting his name on.
"That’s what it is: a contract," Moody said. "It’s such a big step. That’s why I had a couple of questions. There’s a lot of terminology I wasn’t used to, but I wanted to clarify it with the coaching staff."
Musselman said Moody's move showed a lot of maturity on his part.
"I just want the fans to understand, like, what a serious-minded person and young man that we’re getting that he actually read the thing, wanted to do it alone, wanted to ask questions," he added.
Moody is coming off an undefeated senior season at Montverde in which he averaged 11.6 points on 60.1 percent from the floor, 46.9 percent beyond the arc and 82.1 percent at the free throw line. His ability to score at all three levels and size (6-6, 200) stood out to Arkansas' staff.
Musselman commended Moody, too, for working to add weight to his frame.
"I know for sure what a great teammate he is, how unselfish he is and how he plays the game the right way," he said Monday of Moody, the No. 39 player in the 2020 class, according to ESPN. "He’s got a very high basketball IQ.
"Moses is such a complete player and fits our style of play so well with his versatility."
On top of being an underrated rebounder on both ends of the floor and a solid finisher around the rim, Musselman sees Moody as a player who can impact the program on and off the floor from Day 1.
"Moses has great maturity for an incoming freshman," Musselman said. "It's not often you can look at a freshman and feel like he has leadership qualities. He is an incredible teammate who is incredibly unselfish."