1 on 1 with Mississippi State senior Shakeel Moore
Mississippi State entered the 2023-24 campaign searching for more production from its backcourt. Of late, senior guard Shakeel Moore is becoming more consistent in that aspect and the Bulldogs have benefitted from his steady play.
Moore currently leads the team in 3 point shooting percentage at 38.3% and he ranks fourth on the team with 8.7 points a game. But over the last six games, Moore is averaging 12.2 points a game and has made his last five attempts from 3 point range.
Earlier this week, Maroon and White Daily caught up with Moore to discuss his current season along with his future on the hardwood:
Q: Chris Jans said that around the time of the Kentucky game, your demeanor and mindset seemed different. What changed for you since then?
Moore: Just knowing I am one of the older guys and that I have to set more of an example for our younger guys to fight through this long and gritty season that we always have. The SEC is a tough battle to get through and you just have to stay focused. I felt like with me being a leader on our team and one of the older guys, I had to lock in a little more.
Q: When you hit your fourth 3 pointer at Missouri, you turned and looked at the bench before the ball went through the net. Have you ever done that before?
Moore: I haven’t. I was telling my teammates that was crazy and I have never done that in my life, not even in a high school basketball game. It was just rolling for me. I had confidence surging through my body.
Q: I know you have heard this often but being a good shooter, people want to see you shoot it more. What comes with that during a game?
Moore: It’s tough. It’s tough because I’ve been in the mindset that some shots should be taken and some shots shouldn’t be taken. I just have to trust in my ability to shoot the ball and take those shots.
Q: Who has been the toughest for you to guard in the SEC during your career?
Moore: This year I don’t think anybody has given me too much of a problem. But if I had to say one guy from my years in the SEC it would be Jahvon Quinerly from Alabama who went to Memphis.
Q: Who is the funniest guy on the team?
Moore: It’s gotta be Mook, Cam Matthews. He knows how to bring joy and confidence to a room.
Q: In practices, what have you seen from freshmen Adrian Myers and Martavious Russell?
Moore: They’re good. Our young guys get after it and they do everything the coaches ask them to do. Even though they are not getting minutes, they still compete hard and compete hard every day in practice.
Q: You began your college career at N.C. State but now you are in your third year at Mississippi State. How has it been in Starkville for you?
Moore: I love this place and I was just talking to my mom about that yesterday. I started out at North Carolina State and then everybody moved away. When it got here, everyone took me in with open arms. So I definitely consider this place home.
Q: Yourself, Rams Davis and others have gone through slumps at some point during the season. How do y’all help each other overcome those slumps?
Moore: Just steadily talking to our teammates, instilling confidence within them. Basketball is a game of runs. I feel like if we continue to talk to our teammates and lead them the right way then you can get back right.
Q: You still have a Covid year left if you want to play one more season. Your thoughts on that?
Moore: It’s another opportunity for me. It would be a great opportunity and I look forward to exploring it.
Q: When that time comes for you to make that decision one way or the other, what factors will you look at?
Moore: Just basically see how the season goes. It is going pretty well and we still have March Madness to see how we get through that. Whatever happens in March Madness, it is going to be a great thing.
