We hope you enjoy episode #20 of our Australian Basketball History series - an in-depth interview with Andre Moore, an Australian basketball superstar. We sat down with Moore at the 2024 Pan Pacific Masters Games, and walked through his basketball journey, his passion for the game, his work and his family. Andre M. Moore (born July 2, 1964) is an American-Australian former professional basketball player.
As a 6 ft 9 in (205 cm) power forward, he played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for both the Milwaukee Bucks and the Denver Nuggets during the 1987–88 season. He also played in Australia for the Brisbane Bullets, Hobart Devils and Cairns Taipans. Moore takes us through his early years, including Carver High School in Chicago; the Illinois All-Star team (which defeated Indiana's All-Stars in a game held in Gary, Indiana) and his college years (Moore attended the University of Illinois-Chicago from 1982 to 1983; then he transferred to Loyola University Chicago. His next three seasons with the Loyola University Ramblers saw Moore play 85 games and average 16.5 points, 10.9 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game. Loyola reached the Sweet 16 of the 1985 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament, but lost to Patrick Ewing's Georgetown University team, 65–53. Moore had 19 points in the game. In his senior year at Loyola (1986–87), Moore was the Midwestern Collegiate Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year.
The highlight of Moore’s career was when he was drafted by the Denver Nuggets in the 2nd round of the 1987 NBA draft. In 10 games with the Nuggets and Milwaukee Bucks, he averaged 2.4 points, 1.4 rebounds and 0.6 assists per game. Afterwards, he played internationally in Spain, and France, before returning to the United States Basketball League, and the US Continental Basketball Association. In the CBA, he appeared in nine games for the Tulsa Fast Breakers, who were coached by former NBA player Henry Bibby. Moore then embarked on a career in Australia in the National Basketball League.
He first signed with the Brisbane Bullets, who had recruited him while he was in the CBA and helped them to the 1990 NBL Grand Final series against the Perth Wildcats. His teammates on Brisbane included fellow Americans Derek Rucker and Leroy Loggins. Moore's outstanding play in the NBL saw him selected to the 1990 All-NBL Team [9] and several NBL All-Star Games. The 1990 season was arguably his strongest year, as he averaged 26.9 points, 12.6 rebounds, and two blocks per game while shooting 61.1% from the field. After playing for the Bullets, Moore joined the Hobart Devils in 1995. He also played for the Kuiyam Pride and Cairns Marlins of the Australian Basketball Association. After his stints in the ABA, he returned to the NBL to play with the Cairns Taipans from 1999 to 2001. Moore settled in Australia after his playing days.
He has continued playing recreational basketball since his retirement, and has participated in the World Masters Games and Pan-Pacific Masters Games. He has been active in the community through his Big Feat program, promoting healthy lifestyles to school groups and other organisations, and has fathered eight children. Remember to like, comment and subscribe … and feel free to reach out if you have any recommendations for interviews with people who have contributed to Australian basketball history.