Born: 1957 (Florence, South Carolina)
Biography:
Pearl Moore (born March 16, 1957) is a retired American professional basketball player who played for the Women’s Professional Basketball League. During her collegiate career at Francis Marion University, Moore established herself as one of the most prolific scorers in college history, male or female, and is the all-time career-scoring leader in women’s college basketball.
Born in Florence, South Carolina, Moore began playing basketball while attending Wilson High School where she was in the starting line-up for all four years, and achieved early success, earning the MVP award at the 1975 and 1976 AAU Junior Olympic Games. She displayed exceptional talent and her skills on the court did not go unnoticed.
Moore’s basketball journey continued when she joined Anderson Junior College for one semester, where she displayed great potential, amassing an impressive 177 points in just eight games. She later transferred to Francis Marion University, thanks to AIAW rules, which made her immediately eligible to play the remainder of the 1975–76 season for the Patriots.
Under the guidance of head coach Sylvia Hatchell, Moore’s unique ability to score shone through. She had an incredible versatility, being able to score both from the outside and inside, handle the ball with finesse, and draw fouls. Hatchell noted, She was ahead of her time, with her ability to wait for the defense to catch up before drawing the foul and making a 3-point play.
Moore continued to dominate throughout her junior year, culminating in a record-breaking performance in the 1978 AIAW Small College National Tournament where she scored an astonishing 60 points in a single game against Eastern Washington State College. Her momentum carried on into her senior year, where on March 10, 1979, in her final collegiate game, Moore scored 42 points against the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, breaking the previous all-time career points record of 4,045, previously held by Travis Grant of Kentucky State University.
During her time at Francis Marion, Moore left an indelible mark on women’s college basketball. She averaged an impressive 30.6 points per game, scoring a total of 4,061 points in an era where the three-point arc was not yet incorporated. Moore’s contributions were instrumental in leading the Patriots to three national championship appearances, cementing her legacy as one of the greatest college basketball players of all time.
After graduating from Francis Marion in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science degree in sociology, Moore embarked on her professional career. She was selected in the first round of the Women’s Professional Basketball League draft by the New York Stars. In her debut season, the Stars finished with the highest winning percentage in the league. Moore’s skills and leadership were pivotal in the team’s success, culminating in winning the championship series despite a strong performance from Machine Gun Molly Bolin of the Iowa Cornets, who scored 36 points.
Moore’s impact extended beyond the basketball court. Her accomplishments and trailblazing success inspired countless young girls and women to pursue their dreams in sports. Moore’s dedication, tenacity, and talent paved the way for future generations of female athletes, leaving an enduring legacy in women’s basketball.
In recognition of her remarkable career and contributions to the sport, Pearl Moore was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021, solidifying her place among basketball’s elite and honoring her immense impact on the game.
Awards:
– Inductee, Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame (2021)