New Jersey Basketball Standout Malik Moore Chooses Iowa United Prep to Elevate National Recruiting Profile

One of New Jersey’s most promising high school basketball players is taking the next step in his career. Rising junior guard Malik Moore has announced that he will continue his education and basketball journey at Iowa United Prep in Des Moines, a nationally recognised prep basketball programme known for developing elite talent.

The move marks an important turning point for Moore, who has already established himself as one of the top young players in New Jersey. By joining a nationally respected programme that competes against some of the best high school teams in the country, Moore hopes to gain greater exposure and create more opportunities as college recruiters continue to monitor his progress.

Originally from Plainfield, New Jersey, Moore has earned a strong reputation through his performances over the past two seasons. Recruiting analysts rank him as the state’s top rising junior, while he is also considered one of the nation’s highest-rated prospects in his class. His combination of size, scoring ability, court vision, and defensive instincts has made him a player to watch among college basketball programmes.

Moore explained that his decision was driven by long-term development rather than simply changing schools. After visiting Iowa United Prep earlier this summer, he believed the programme offered everything needed to help him reach the next level. The school provides players with access to training facilities, strength programmes, practice courts, and living accommodations all within one campus, allowing athletes to focus entirely on improving their game.

The coaching staff also played a major role in his decision. Iowa United Prep is led by head coach Keith Smart, whose basketball career includes a memorable NCAA championship-winning shot for Indiana University in 1987. Smart later spent nearly two decades coaching in the NBA, bringing valuable experience to young athletes preparing for college and professional basketball.

For Moore, the opportunity to train under experienced coaches while competing against elite competition was difficult to pass up. He believes the environment will challenge him daily and help sharpen every aspect of his game.

Another major factor behind the transfer is increased recruiting exposure. Iowa United Prep competes in the Nike EYBL Scholastic League, one of the country’s premier high school basketball circuits. The league regularly features nationally ranked programmes and attracts coaches from many Division I universities throughout the season.

Moore believes playing on that stage will significantly increase the number of college programmes evaluating his talent. While he has already received multiple scholarship offers, he expects the move will open the door to even more opportunities as his recruitment continues to grow.

At this stage of his career, Moore already holds offers from several Division I programmes, including Penn State, Providence, Creighton, East Carolina, Virginia Commonwealth, and San Diego. Additional interest has also come from well-known basketball schools such as Notre Dame, Syracuse, Georgia Tech, and SMU.

His strong recruiting profile has been built through consistent production at Union Catholic High School. During the 2024-25 season, Moore averaged 18.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game while helping Union Catholic compete in one of New Jersey’s toughest basketball conferences. Despite facing high-level opponents throughout the season, he remained one of the team’s most dependable players.

Moore’s success did not begin this past season. Since arriving as a freshman, he has been a consistent contributor for Union Catholic, averaging more than 15 points per game across his first two varsity seasons. His ability to score, create plays for teammates, and compete against experienced opponents helped establish him as one of the state’s fastest-rising prospects.

The competitive environment in Union County also played an important role in his development. Widely recognised for producing talented basketball players and highly competitive teams, the county provided Moore with regular opportunities to test himself against top competition. He believes those experiences prepared him for the challenges that await him on the national stage.

Although Moore is excited about his future, he also expressed appreciation for everyone at Union Catholic. He credited the coaching staff, teammates, school community, and supporters for helping him grow both as a basketball player and as a person. During his two seasons with the programme, Union Catholic won 30 games, and Moore said he leaves with lasting friendships and valuable memories.

His departure continues a growing trend of highly regarded New Jersey prospects choosing nationally recognised prep programmes before completing high school. Earlier this year, another Union County standout, Micah Gordon of Plainfield, announced his transfer to SPIRE Academy in Ohio, another respected basketball powerhouse.

As Moore begins this new chapter, expectations will continue to rise. Competing against some of the nation’s best players every week will provide a valuable opportunity to showcase his abilities in front of college coaches from across the country. If his development continues on its current path, the move to Iowa United Prep could become one of the defining moments in his basketball journey.

With two years of high school eligibility remaining, Moore now has the chance to strengthen his national reputation while pursuing his goal of expanding his college recruitment. His decision reflects the growing importance of elite prep programs for athletes seeking greater exposure and preparing for the next level of competition.

Sources

• Rivals
• Iowa United Prep
• Nike EYBL Scholastic League
• Union Catholic High School
• Indiana University Athletics