- Articles
Former Northeastern Oklahoma A&M (NEO) standout and current Norfolk State men’s basketball guard Brian Moore Jr. has earned one of the most prestigious honors of his career, receiving the Lou Henson Award from CollegeInsider.com. The award recognizes the top mid-major player in college basketball, and Moore joins an elite group of past winners. Norfolk State becomes just the second school to have multiple Lou Henson Award recipients, with Kyle O’Quinn earning the honor in 2012.
Moore made an immediate impact in his first season with the Spartans after transferring from Murray State. The Harlem, N.Y. native averaged 18.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game, shooting 54.5 percent from the field and 39.4 percent from three-point range. He was the only guard in the nation to average at least 18.0 points per game while shooting 54.0 percent or better (minimum 20 games played). His stellar performance led Norfolk State to its fourth-ever MEAC Tournament title, earning him the MEAC Tournament Most Outstanding Player Award.
Before making his mark at the Division I level, Moore played one season at NEO (2021-22), under head coach Jeremy Jackson where he was a dominant force. He averaged 21.3 points and 5.2 assists per game, shooting 51.8 percent from the floor. He scored in double figures 28 times, including an explosive 37-point performance against Seminole State, the second-highest single-game scoring total in NEO history. His scoring prowess made him the sixth player in program history to surpass the 1,000-point mark.
“Brian is a great example of ‘Once a Norseman always a Norseman’,” said NEO Men’s Head Basketball Coach Jeremy Jackson. “Brian is such a humble and hungry young man who is driven to be great. His hard work paid off for him in winning this award. It is not surprising, but a testament to who he is. Against all odds always count on B Moore. The NEO A&M Men’s Basketball team is so proud of Brian and excited to see what the future holds.”
The Lou Henson Award honors the legendary coach who won 775 games over 41 seasons at Illinois and New Mexico State. Henson remains the winningest coach in Illinois basketball history, leading the Fighting Illini to 12 NCAA tournament appearances and a Final Four berth in 1989.
Moore’s journey from NEO to mid-major dominance serves as an inspiration, showcasing the power of hard work and perseverance. As he continues to excel at Norfolk State, his legacy as one of NEO’s top players remains firmly cemented.
