Pitt Basketball: J.J. Moore reportedly to transfer from Panthers
By Matt Shetler
It’s been a rough month for the Pitt football and basketball programs and the news just keeps getting worse.
According to several reports, senior forward J.J. Moore is transferring from the program.
CBS Sports Jon Rothstein is one of the sources reporting Moore’s intent to transfer, but the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Ray Fittipaldo has reported that while Moore very well may be transferring, he has yet to ask for his official release and hasn’t filled out his transfer papers yet.
Pitt's J.J. Moore will transfer, per a source. 6-6 wing has one year of eligibility remaining.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) April 28, 2013
JJ Moore very well might be transferring, but he has not yet asked for his release and has not informed Pitt's coaches of his decision.
— Ray Fittipaldo (@rayfitt1) April 29, 2013
March 3, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers forward J.J. Moore (44) reacts after guard James Robinson (not pictured) made a three point shot to tie the game against the Villanova Wildcats during the second half at the Petersen Events Center. The Pittsburgh Panthers won 73-64. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Moore though did post a tweet that thanked Panthers fans for a great three years.
The 6’6″ forward averaged 8.0 points and 3.0 rebounds in 18.7 minutes per game off the Panthers bench in 2012 and was viewed as a guy who would play a major role in 2013 as Pitt prepares for their inaugural season in the ACC.
The Panthers main strength this season was their depth, but that’s all but gone now.
Since their first round loss to Wichita State in the NCAA Tournament, Pitt has lost Tray Woodall and Dante Taylor to graduation, Steven Adams declared for the NBA Draft and Moore and Trey Zeigler have elected to transfer.
Moore joins a long list of players to leave the Pitt program in the past couple of seasons.
He may not be the only one as there have been rumors that both Durand Johnson and Cameron Wright are looking to transfer as well.
Although it hasn’t been confirmed, there have been whispers about Moore heading to Fordham University, but that’s far from reality at this point.
If Moore elects to transfer to another Division I school, he will have to sit out next season.