Georgia Tech coach Josh Pastner is still searching for freshmen for the 2016 signing class.
Point guard Justin Moore, a three-star prospect from San Diego, will make an official visit next week. He plans to make his decision between Tech and Pacific upon his return to San Diego.
“I think it’s neck and neck, both of them,” Moore said Thursday.
Tech’s connection to Moore is through new assistant coach Darryl LaBarrie. When he was an assistant at Georgia State, LaBarrie recruited another San Diego prospect named David Travers, whom Moore considers a brother. LaBarrie and Moore got to know each other through Travers and then Georgia State offered him between his freshman and sophomore years, Moore said.
Moore ultimately signed with Tulane last November, but received his release from his letter of intent after the school fired coach Ed Conroy. After Moore received his release, LaBarrie was among the first to call. The interest was mutual.
“Basically, I just think it being in the ACC is big,” Moore said. “And, obviously, Coach LaBarrie being there, and I’ve heard great things about Coach Josh Pastner, how he runs his team, and I love Altanta. I’ve been there twice and I absolutely loved the city.”
Moore’s coach at Mission Bay High describes the 6-foot-4, 160-pound Moore as a prototypical college point guard. He is ranked the No. 40 point guard nationally by 247 Sports and 66th by ESPN.
“He’s got really good ball-handling skills, great vision, he’s got good length,” Dennis Kane said. “I think he’d be a really good fit over there.”
The distance from San Diego is not a factor.
“Distance does not matter to me,” Moore said. “I’ve always been a kid that wanted to explore new things and just see more. I’ve been here (in San Diego) all my life, and I know there’s more out there, and I want to explore and meet new people.”
As things would have it, Pacific has a new coach in Damon Stoudamire, who was on Pastner’s staff at Memphis for three seasons. And, for that matter, Pastner interviewed Conroy for a spot on his staff.
