Morgan Park’s Charlie Moore Turns Heads while Staying Humble

Evan F. Moore | As of Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Morgan Park High School's Charlie Moore says his family keeps him grounded in the midst of his profile being raised.
Morgan Park High School's Charlie Moore says his family keeps him grounded in the midst of his profile being raised. RON JOHNSON/Peoria Journal Star

When Morgan Park High School student Charlie Moore first joined the school’s basketball varsity team, he had to wait patiently for his turn to play. That’s because the team was already stocked with future college players, making playing minutes hard to come by.

“I’m staying in the gym. I’m staying with my routine,” Moore says. “Working every day and trying to get better. That helps me out in the long run.”

After being overshadowed by former Morgan Park standouts such as Billy Garrett Jr., and Marcus Lovett, the Englewood resident is ready to lead the Mustangs to another state title.

Depending upon whom you ask, Moore, a point guard, who made a name for himself on the AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) circuit this summer, stands between 5’8” and 5’10”.

“Playing my game and keeping the [team] chemistry tight and going out there and playing at 110 percent every game,” Moore says. “Nick [Coach Irvin] tells me to keep working and keep doing what I’m doing. Just work on my defense and sticking to the ball and I should be as good as I can be.”

Due to his play in the AAU circuit, top colleges and universities are starting to notice Moore’s game. Schools such as the Iowa, UMass, Georgia Tech and DePaul are inquiring about his services. St. John’s and Univ. of Illinois have already offered him a scholarship.

“They tell me how they love how I take care of the ball and how much I can score and when I get my teammates involved,” Moore says. “They want me to play the type of game that can have an impact on their program. “

Moore says his family keeps him grounded in the midst of his profile being raised. His mother Casey, his father Curtis, along with his brother, Paris Paramore who once played college ball at Central Michigan, give him guidance going into his senior year.

“He [Paris] always gives me tips. He tells me to keep doing what I’m doing and stay patient and let the game come to me. Don’t rush anything,” Moore says. “My mom could care less. She wants me to focus on school. My dad tells me the same but to stay patient and work on my game.”

Even though Moore is the most notable player on the Mustangs’ roster, he would rather take the traditional role of a point guard. He gets more enjoyment out of setting up teammates with scoring opportunities than being the first option on offense…similar to the NBA player he emulates, Atlanta Hawks point guard Jeff Teague.

“He just gets the job done. He doesn’t do too much. He wins games. Just win as much as possible. Win every game,” Moore proclaimed about Teague.

Moore also told the Chicago Citizen that he has been given advice on how he should go about picking a college by his coach Nick Irvin, a former ballyhooed prospect in his own right.

Irvin once told reporters that Moore has the potential to be the next in the great lineage of point guards to come out of Chicago such as Derrick Rose, Isiah Thomas and Tim Hardaway.

“Absolutely. Charlie is an NBA player. He is a good leader on and off the court,” Irvin says. You mention Isiah and Derrick, he will be mentioned too.”

Irvin went on to say that Moore’s ability to lead a team sets him apart from other players.

“He loves the game. It’s hard to find kids who have the passion and work ethic. Charlie’s best basketball is ahead of him,” Irvin added.

Moore echoes his coach’s sentiments. He also made a prediction for the upcoming season in the way that is typical of a great point guard saying, “Charlie Moore will win city, state and anything that comes after that, I’m happy with it.”

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