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GWINNETT'S GREATEST ATHLETES: #6 MAYA MOORE
There are many heroes in Gwinnett County sports history. Olympians, All-Americans, national champions, MVPs and high school, college and professional stars. But 10 stand out among the greatest of all time --- based on reader picks in an online unofficial poll and the Gwinnett News sports staff. We're counting them down and will give a nod to many honorable mentions.


The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 07/22/08

What makes her great: What hasn't she won? Moore led Collins Hill to a 125-3 record and three state championships while twice winning the Naismith Award as the nation's top player. She averaged 25.5 points, 12.1 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 3.8 steals as a senior, and capped her high school career by shooting 7-for-7 from the field and 5-for-5 from the free throw line in the second half of the 2007 Class AAAAA final. In Moore's tenure, the Eagles lost only once to a Georgia team.

Last summer, the 6-foot forward sparked the USA's Under-19 team to a world championship in Slovakia. In her first year at the University of Connecticut, Moore was named Big East Player of the Year and became the second freshman in NCAA history to earn a spot on the Associated Press All-America First Team. The Huskies went 36-2 and reached the Final Four.

Moore's star quality has been evident for years. Fans have been asking for her autograph since she was in middle school.

Fandemonium: "She could average 60 points a game if she wanted to," her Collins Hill teammate, shooting guard Jordan Jones, once said. "The thing about her is she's so unselfish. She attracted so much attention that it really opened things up for me and everyone else.

"You can't describe playing with Maya Moore," added Jones, who now plays for Florida. "There will never be a player like her."

Where is she now: Moore is entering her sophomore season at UConn. As a freshman, she averaged 17.8 points, 7.6 rebounds and 3.1 assists while shooting 54.3 percent from the field. The Huskies will enter the 2008-09 season as one of the favorites to win the national championship.

Moore, who led Collins Hill to a perfect season and unofficial national championship in 2006-07, is now setting her sights on an NCAA title as a sophomore.

"I feel every year is UConn's year," she said. "I felt last year was our year, too. We have to go in with that confident mind-set, just do the work and stay healthy. I'm really excited about next season."

Moore called it a "great honor" to make the all-time Gwinnett list.

"In Gwinnett County there is so much talent, so much going on, so to make the top 10 is great," said Moore, who visited Collins Hill in May to re-connect with friends, teachers and coaches.

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