By Laura Amato
Marquise Moore was frustrated. He’d been at the top of his game last season when it all got sidelined – literally.
The Jamaica native and George Mason basketball standout suffered a high ankle sprain midway through the year, forcing him off the court and onto an eight-month rehab road that, more often than not, left him disappointed with his lack of progress.
At some point, however, Moore decided to change his approach. If he had to work to get back onto the court, he’d do whatever was necessary to ensure he’d come back even stronger than before.
He has.
The senior guard has been nothing short of exceptional so far this season and as he gets ready for league play, Moore is determined to up his game even more.
“I think it’s just me being aggressive,” Moore said. “I’m attacking the rim consistently and it’s hard to keep me from getting the rim whether they scheme against me or not.”
The former Holy Cross standout leads George Mason in just about every statistical category, rarely coming off the court in the team’s first 12 games of the season. He’s shooting over 50 percent from the floor and has been held to single digits just once in his first dozen games.
He’s also quick to point out that statistics are a result of great team effort.
“My teammates are making shots and that opens up things for me, too. Because then you’ve got to make a decision on who to guard,” Moore said. “It’s just a whole team game. It’s hard to key on one player when your whole team is playing well.”
Moore made George Mason history earlier this month, becoming the first player to earn Atlantic-10 player of the week honors. He picked up the accolade after averaging 21 points, 14.5 rebounds, 7.5 assists throughout the week, highlighted by a triple-double performance at Penn.
It was the first triple-double in program history.
“At first I was surprised because I was certain guys had been player of the week before,” Moore said. “But that’s definitely a great honor and to be able to put George Mason on the map and show people what we can do.”
Moore has done his best to let his game do the talking this season, but he’s also worked to become a vocal leader on the squad, anxious to step up in his final season at George Mason.
That’s a bit against the grain for Moore, but, much like overcoming that ankle sprain, it’s a challenge he’s found a way to embrace.
“I’m more quiet and reserved, but I’ve been talking a bit more,” he said. “You’ve got to know your team, know who you can yell at and who to talk up. You just try and set an example and lead the young guys.”
George Mason is in the midst of one of its most impressive early-season performances in recent years and Moore’s return to the court is at the center of that.
But he isn’t satisfied yet.
Moore wants to wrap up his time at George Mason on a high note and, as far as he’s concerned, the only way to do that is with a league championship and NCAA Tournament berth. He’s more than willing to put in the work for that as well.
“I think, honestly, we can win every game we have left on the schedule if we come ready to play,” Moore said. “It’s been a tough road, a couple of losing seasons, so to be in that position and have that opportunity, that’s a big thing for all of us.”
