Visit from a pro: WNBA player returns to her former school

April 24, 2007

By MATT TUNSETH/ Frontiersman

PALMER - It's a long way from the hallways of Palmer Junior Middle School to the bright lights of Los Angeles - unless you're professional basketball player Jessica Moore.

Moore, a 2000 graduate of Colony High and 1996 PJMS grad, returned to the school Monday to meet some of her biggest fans, the school's current students.

She spent about an hour answering questions and signing autographs for a group of highly-excited sixth, seventh and eighth graders.

&#8220It's really cool to meet a pro basketball player from your school,” sixth-grader Megan Deslauriers said after getting Moore's autograph.

After signing more than 100 autographs, Moore told the assembled children that setting goals and working hard - both in the classroom and on the court - got her to where she is today.

&#8220Stay grounded and always believe in yourself,” she told the students.

Moore was a two-time Alaska Player of the Year selection and won a state title with the Knights in 1998. During her high school career, Moore played in four state title games - three at CHS and one during her freshman year at Palmer High.

In four seasons at the University of Connecticut, Moore also was on a team that went to four title games. She saw the Huskies win a title as a redshirt freshman, and then played on three straight NCAA Division I national championship teams.

Following her run at UConn, the Charlotte Sting selected Moore with the 25th overall pick in the 2005 WNBA draft.

After seeing little time in Charlotte, Moore was picked up by the Los Angeles Sparks, where she joined her basketball idol, former WNBA Most Valuable Player, Lisa Leslie.

She came off the bench during her rookie year, but saw her place with the Sparks increase dramatically last season, as she started 33 of 34 games and averaged career highs in nearly every statistical

category.

After L.A.'s 2006 campaign, Moore immediately left for France, where she helped Challes Les Eux earn a spot in next season's European Cup, the premier women's club tournament in Europe.

In town for just a week, Moore will return to L.A. to join her Sparks teammates for training camp Friday.

On Monday, Moore's mother, Linda, said her daughter hasn't had much time to rest over the past couple years.

&#8220She just hasn't had a break since college,” Linda Moore said.

Linda Moore said that when her daughter attended PJMS, Jessica was already dreaming of becoming a professional

player.

&#8220This is what she always wanted to do,” she said.

Moore's success didn't happen overnight. Linda Moore said her daughter was always very goal-oriented and had lots of help along the way, especially her teachers and coaches in middle and high school.

&#8220All of her dreams have come true,” Linda Moore said. &#8220And a lot of people helped her in reaching her goals.”

During Monday's autograph session, PJMS counselor Pat Floyd played a video of Connecticut's 1998 NCAA Championship game win over Tennessee. Floyd said that having Moore return to her roots was a treat both for him and his students.

&#8220It's really cool that she walked these same halls,” Floyd said.

Following the event, Jessica Moore said returning to the school brought back lots of memories.

&#8220But I remember it being a lot bigger,” the 6-foot-3-inch center said.

She said seeing the youngsters from her old school get fired up to see her was a major thrill.

&#8220It really warms your heart to see kids from your hometown that are looking up to you,” she said.

Many of the students Monday said seeing Moore made them feel like they, too, can accomplish anything they set their minds to.

&#8220Anyone has a chance,” sixth-grader Lewis Lincecum said.

Lincecum's classmate, Hayley Linehan, got Moore to autograph a basketball for her. Like Moore, Lincecum said she's the tallest girl in her class, and said the pro player is her basketball idol.

&#8220I've never met anyone like this before,” Lincecum said. &#8220It's great.”

While in town, Moore said she plans to lay low and try and relax before heading to Sparks camp. Although she spends most of her time these days jetting around the globe, she said it's always nice to return home for a little rest and relaxation.

&#8220My life is so fast-paced, I like it here because I can just breathe,” she said. &#8220Alaska is more laid back. I like that I can just sit at home and chill for a while.”

Contact Matt Tunseth at 352-2265 or matt.tunseth@frontiersman.com