St. John’s brings in SC forward Isaih Moore for an official visit

On the heels of a successful visit and commitment from JUCO guard Vince Cole, St. John’s brings in another JUCO from South Carolina for an official visit this weekend.

Isaih Moore, a 6’10” slim-bodied forward from Sumter, SC, will come in to see St. John’s and Mike Anderson. He is reportedly friends with last week’s commit, Vince Cole.

Moore currently plays at Pearl River Community College. He transferred to the JUCO after a season at College of Charleston, where he did not log many minutes on Earl Grant’s veteran team; the Cougars had two high-level stars and a number of bigs, including senior Jarrell Brantley, senior backup Nick Harris, and a pair of junior bigs who also saw time.

Though he would have a path to more playing time as a sophomore, he chose to go to a junior college - in part to get looks from power conference schools. From the Sumter Item:

”Charleston wasn’t working out for me anymore,” Moore said... “(I) just felt like I should have been somewhere different (where) I could grow and excel more.”

(Note that in that article, he says he will be going to Tallahassee CC, but is instead attending Pearl River CC in Mississippi.)

Isaih Moore, who was coached by his father in high school, grew a foot since freshman year at Sumter High, averaged 13 points and six rebounds in high school.

Why the interest from St. John’s?

Potential, wingspan, and most importantly — agility and versatility.

He was ranked 478 by 247 Sports, and seemed not to be big on many schools’ radar.

Still, in AAU ball during high school, Moore showed potential. He was a bench player for the Georgia Stars in EYBL play, shooting 42% from outside the arc, 67% inside the arc, with a solid usage rate (17% of possessions while on the floor) and, for what it’s worth, a low turnover rate.

For his size and skill, Moore’s blocked shots were not there in his limited time (about 15% of his squad’s minutes).

He also played for the Upward Stars in Adidas Uprising, with a higher usage rate (26%), slightly less effectiveness on two-pointers, but with a strong defensive rebounding rate of 25%.

AAU Highlights: Isaih Moore

At College of Charleston, he had intriguing numbers in his limited minutes as a freshman, connecting on 64% of his 14 shots, drawing 16 free throw attempts, blocking some shots and forcing some steals -- while rebounding solidly on both ends.

Charleston Cougars highlights: Isaih Moore

Per Rivals, Assistant Coach Steve DeMeo has seen Moore play. He was in the ACCC JUCO Summer Showcase this offseason to show off what he could do in front of NCAA coaches.

Moore, if he commits, would join a recruiting class that brings in freshman guard Posh Alexander and JUCO guard Vince Cole. The team needs depth inside, where only Josh Roberts and Ian Steere provide height.

Isaih Moore would come in as a junior, which would create 2022 graduating class of Greg Williams Jr., Josh Roberts, David Caraher, Marcellus Earlington, Ian Steere, Cole and Moore — barring transfer.

Given Mike Anderson’s ability to recruit strong JUCO players, classes can be “evened” out fairly easily.