Adolescent athletic prowess doesn’t always last. Some kids simply mature more quickly than their peers, leading to immediate on-court supremacy and the specter of imminent stardom down the road. But the playing field levels the older the players get and the better the competition becomes. Some middle school phenoms don’t always dominate in high school or get the opportunity to play in college, let alone emerge as a viable professional basketball player.
While it’s early, we’re pretty sure Wendell Moore won’t befall those fates.
Ranked by some services as the top prospect in the Class of 2019, the 13-year-old hails from North Carolina and stars for Chris Paul’s AAU team. He makes plays from all over the floor at 6’4, showcasing the feel and nuance that helps players of all ability compensate for a lack of athleticism. Moore, though, has explosion and coordination in spades, lifting off for dunks with ease and seamlessly weaving his way through traffic like a player far smaller.
And here’s the scariest part: He’ll be just 17-years-old upon graduating just before the decade’s turn, a full year younger than many in his class.
There’s no telling for certain whether or not Moore will live up to the incredible promise shown in the video above. Considering the his wholly unique blend of size, athleticism, and talent, though, we’d certainly be surprised if this is the last we hear of Moore.
[Via CityLeagueHoopsTV]
