Professional training with former NBA basketball pro
Former NBA, NBL, European and South American Basketball pro Andre Moore is heading to Queenstown to host a basketball clinic across two days. Kicking off on Sunday, the sessions will include skills training, conditioning drills and games – it’s suitable for ages five and up.
Moore is based across the ditch in Brisbane these days – he moved there after been offered a position on the Brisbane Bullets. The 6ft 9in (205cm) power forward cut his teeth in America, playing for both the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks and Denver Nuggets during the 87-88 seasons.
“I also went overseas and played in Spain, it was my first time going overseas and I played in a place called Valencia, where all the beautiful oranges come from,” Moore says. “I came back to America and got called back overseas to play in France – basketball had become a passport to the world for me.”
After Europe, Moore headed back to the States to play with the Continental Basketball Association. Unbeknownst to him, there was scouts around for other parts of the world, including Australia, which is where he was approached to move down under.
“My coaching staff told me this guy from Australia was very interested in me. I said ‘Australia, are you talking about where Crocodile Dundee is from?’ I did my due diligence and went to my local library that week and looked up this place, Brisbane, Australia, and based on what I found, I signed a one year deal.”
34 years later and Moore is happily settled in the sunny state and more passionate now than ever to work with kids who are interested in basketball. He was last in town in April, where he ran the popular clinics in Cromwell and Wānaka.
“I was finally able to make it there in April and it far exceeded my expectations about how gorgeous it was. I had a great time and the clinics were very successful – this time we’re expecting a bit of the same and maybe even better. I can work with all skill levels, all ages, all genders – grandma, grandpa and new-born babies can come out and have a go,” Moore jokes.
He says he’s good a organising people according to their skill level and has an eye for everyone’s ability. The clinic is designed to cater to this, so no matter your ability, you’re sure to have a great day or two. Moore loves giving back where he can, and is looking forward to coming back to Queenstown.
“I’m always about learning, always about spreading the joy of the game as well. Hopefully these kids pay it forward as well. People before me paid it forward to me, and I’m paying it forward. My high school coach, the late great Bob Walters, taught us about giving back to the community that supports you.”
Moore also says events like this wouldn’t be possible without the support of his good buddy in Queenstown, Tim Wilshire, as well as Jackie Kukutai who helped set up the event in Cromwell in April. He also wants to show his appreciation for Beth Mackie who helped with the upcoming Queenstown event. And finally, he wants to shout out his family – his mother Jeanette, the lovely lady who raised him, his best buddy Philip Jordan, who he’s known since grade 3 and his wife, and of course his eight wonderful children.
Andre Moore’s Basketball Clinic is $80 for a single day or $140 for the two-day programme and will be held at Queenstown Event Centre on 29 and 30 September. For more information or if you have any questions you can email bigfeat41@hotmail.com or tim@ctbs.net.au
