Conversations with Brooke Moore

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brooke Moore.

Hi Brooke, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Basketball has been a part of my life since I was eight years old. As I became more involved in the sport, I fell in love with it and knew I wanted to play at the highest level possible. I started playing AAU basketball, and everything began moving in the right direction. The game opened doors for me, providing exposure and opportunities I never imagined. By the seventh grade, I was already receiving scholarship offers from universities.

When I entered high school, something changed. A light bulb went off. Basketball was no longer just a sport to me—it became a part of who I was. That ball represented my future.

I developed an intense hunger to succeed and a relentless drive to win. I made sacrifices and dedicated myself to becoming the best player I could be. During my junior year of high school, I committed to Auburn University.

After graduating in 2018, I attended Auburn University for two seasons before transferring to Purdue University, where I continued both my education and athletic career. After two seasons at Purdue, I earned my bachelor’s degree in Psychology in May 2022 and decided to transfer to Ole Miss for my graduate season.

Less than two months later, on July 10, 2022, my life changed forever.

While home visiting family, I was involved in a devastating car accident near the airport. My vehicle flipped ten times, and I was ejected during the eighth rollover, landing on the opposite side of Interstate 75.

Emergency responders pronounced me dead at the scene. While fighting to save my life, they were able to restore my heartbeat before transporting me to Grady Memorial Hospital. During the ambulance ride, I coded again and lost my heartbeat a second time. Once again, the medical team brought me back.

I was admitted to the hospital in critical condition, with very little chance of survival.

Because of the severity of my injuries, I remained in a medically induced coma for two weeks. When I finally woke up, I immediately began intensive treatment to regain as much function as possible. I was discharged from the hospital on August 11 with a strict recovery plan, knowing I still had a long road ahead.

As I progressed through physical therapy, I realized just how difficult my journey back to basketball would be. I sustained significant nerve damage to the left side of my body, affecting my movement, coordination, and strength. I would try to dribble a basketball, only for it to suddenly stop because my body could no longer perform the way it once had.

After countless tears, setbacks, and attempts to return, I made one of the hardest decisions of my life: I retired from basketball.

Although I had always dreamed of becoming a coach someday, I never imagined that journey would begin so soon. God had a different plan for my life.

I returned to Ole Miss as a graduate assistant, where I learned the game from a coach’s perspective and gained valuable behind-the-scenes experience. One year later, I accepted a position as an assistant coach at Hampton University.

Today, I am entering my third season at Hampton University as an Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator. While my path looks different than I once envisioned, my passion for basketball has never changed. My purpose has simply shifted—from inspiring others through my play to impacting lives through coaching, leadership, and mentorship.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it has not been a smooth road. My journey has been filled with setbacks, uncertainty, and moments where I had to completely redefine my goals. One of the greatest struggles was learning how to move forward after life forced me to take a path I never expected. I had to overcome physical challenges, mental obstacles, and the emotional difficulty of letting go of a dream I had pursued for most of my life. There were many days of frustration and disappointment, but those experiences taught me resilience, strengthened my faith, and ultimately led me to discover a new purpose through coaching and mentoring others.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I work in college basketball as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator, where my focus is on player development, talent evaluation, and building strong, competitive rosters. My day-to-day involves recruiting student-athletes, developing relationships with families and coaches, analyzing film, and helping players grow both on and off the court.

I specialize in identifying talent and understanding what it takes for players to succeed at the collegiate level beyond just skill—things like mindset, work ethic, discipline, and coachability. I also take pride in developing guards and helping athletes improve their decision-making, leadership, and overall understanding of the game.

I’m known for my ability to connect with players on a real level. I don’t just coach the game—I relate to the journey, the pressure, and the sacrifices that come with it. That allows me to build trust quickly and push athletes in a way they can receive.

What I’m most proud of is my transition into coaching under difficult circumstances and still being able to grow in this profession. I didn’t take a traditional path, but I’ve been able to turn adversity into purpose and continue impacting the game in a meaningful way.

What sets me apart is perspective. I’ve experienced basketball at a high level as a player and had to rebuild my life and career in a different direction. That combination allows me to understand players not just as athletes, but as people navigating pressure, setbacks, and growth.

Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
I also find happiness in the small, everyday moments—being around good energy, having real conversations, and spending time with the people I care about. My wife, Chanel, is a big part of that for me. Sharing life with her, building together, and having that support system brings me a level of peace and joy that I deeply value.

Peace of mind means a lot to me, especially after everything I’ve experienced. I’ve learned not to take life or time for granted.

Another thing that makes me happy is purpose. Knowing that I’m doing work that impacts others in a positive way gives me a sense of fulfillment that goes beyond basketball. It keeps me grounded and motivated.

Ultimately, what makes me happy is feeling like my life has meaning—using my experiences, my voice, and my position to help others grow while continuing to grow myself.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Moore_5