ESPN 4-star prospect Chance Moore signed to play basketball at Arkansas on Wednesday.
Moore, a 6-5, 192-pound wing from Powder Springs (Ga.) McEachern, chose the Razorbacks over scholarship offers from LSU, Auburn, Alabama, Georgia, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Florida, Ole Miss, Clemson, South Carolina and others.
He and his family had a live signing ceremony on Zoom. With country music star Chris Stapleton’s Arkansas playing in the background, Moore thanked his parents, trainers, coach and others for helping him get to this point.
"I'll continue my education and will play basketball for the University of Arkansas," Moore said. "It really means a lot. I've put in a lot of work to get to this point. One of my many goals is checked off.
It really means lot, I worked really hard to get here. All the work has paid off. Signing online live and making it official it was one of my goals in taking the next step.”
Moore has several lofty goals in mind for his senior season and beyond.
“One of my main goals is winning a state championship this year in my high school season and then for college it’s making the NCAA tournament,” Moore said. “All Freshman first team. Obviously win a championship there. Just win. Then eventually make it to the NBA.”
Moore is the second player to sign with Arkansas during the early signing period that began Wednesday. Navarro (Texas) College 4-star forward Akol Mawein signed shortly before Moore.
He’s also ranked the No. 9 small forward and No. 44 overall prospect in the nation for the 2021 class. Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the NCAA adopted a dead period that forbid prospects from making unofficial or official visits to college campuses.
Moore and his father visited Fayetteville on Aug. 8 without the benefit of visiting with the coaches and touring the facilities. He committed to the Hogs that same day after being impressed with the people.
“I really like the campus and the feel for the town,” Moore said. “Everybody was very welcoming They didn't even know what I was there for because you couldn’t technically take visits to colleges. It was like a regular tour type thing and they were all very nice. It put them over the top because I had already seen the facilities and talked to the coaches on Zoom. It was actually just going out there and when I saw everything, it really put them over the top. That’s when they got me.”
He communicated with Arkansas Coach Eric Musselman, associate head coach David Patrick and assistants Corey Williams and Clay Moser. He also exchanged text messages with director of basketball operations Anthony Ruta.
“Coach Muss and his staff brings NBA experience,” Moore said. “They know what it takes to get there. They can push me. I really like his coaching style and playing style. I think it fits well with my game. I feel like if I really buy into the system he can really push me to be a better player so I can reach the NBA.”
ESPN national recruiting director Paul Biancardi said Moore can score in several ways.
“Scoring guard that gets to the rim,” Biancardi said. “ I think he has a good balance between shooting it and making shots and driving it. That’s what I like about him the most. He’s a good rebounding guard, too. He works the glass with his size.”
Moore is the fifth ESPN top 100 prospect to sign with Arkansas since Musselman was hired in April 2019.
The Razorbacks signed four top 100 prospects for the 2020 class — guards Moses Moody, Khalen Robinson and Davonte Davis, and forward Jaylin Williams.
Moore visited LSU, Alabama, Georgia, Georgia Tech and Florida State before the covid-19 outbreak.
A couple of schools still pursued Moore after his pledge to the Hogs.
“I just told them I’m staying firm in my decision,” Moore said.