Temple University Athletics
A Perfect 10: Ramone Moore Honors Late Cousin in Special Way
10.18.11 | Men's Basketball
As he palms the ball over and over with his left hand, smoothing its raised dimples, Ramone Moore exudes cool, calm confidence. At the three-point line, the soft cadence of the basketball reverberates off the walls of the empty Liacouras Center like the pitter-patter of a heartbeat.
Thump. Thump. Thump. Swish.
It's a rhythm that Moore has perfected over the years in gyms and on outdoor courts in South Philadelphia -- its consistency focuses him, excites him, and in uncertain times, comforts him. A stoic and reserved co-captain, he turns to basketball as a form of expression when words fail him.
That's what he did when he found out he lost his cousin, 10-year-old Zaire, in a tragic car accident on the Atlantic City expressway over the summer.
“I was at the mall -- me, my mom, my brother and my daughter,” Moore said. “We got the call saying there was an accident and to stay by the phone. They didn't know how serious it was.”
“Then about an hour later, my aunt called -- hootin' and hollerin' -- saying that Zaire died, and I just broke out in tears. It was a real sad moment. It was something that was real hard to get over.”
Moore felt helpless. As he wracked his brain thinking of ways to pay tribute to his cousin, he found solace in the careful repetitions of the game he's always loved.
Thump. Thump. Thump. Swish. Night after night.
Soon enough, he realized the answer was right in front of him.
“I decided to change my number to represent [my cousin] for this year,” he said. “It's real important to me. I've been 23 my entire career, but it wasn't a big deal [to change]. My family is proud and happy for the decision I made.”
An ardent supporter of LeBron James, Moore originally chose to wear number 23 as a nod to his favorite player. This year, below the name on his jersey, he'll sport number 10 in honor of his biggest fan.
“There were a lot of reasons for choosing number 10. Zaire's football jersey was 55,” he said. “So we added 5+5 and his birthday was on March 10th." was something small, but for a big reason.”
Moore is looking for other ways to pay tribute to Zaire. He hopes to work out a design with UnderArmour, the team's sponsor, that will allow him to customize the shoes he plays in.
“I might write on my sneaker to honor him or put something in the tongue [of my sneaker] -- maybe R.I.P -- just to always remember him each game.”
“Zaire came to a lot of games. He would call me all the time and say he couldn't wait for the season to come up. To lose him and not be able to have him see me play is a hard thing,” he said.
On the court, Moore is the quintessential Fran Dunphy recruit: gritty and talented, fluid and calculated. He executes plays with the quiet finesse of a veteran -- both of the game and of life.
At home, Moore has a four year-old daughter, Simone, who is another reason why the tragedy of Zaire's death shook him to his core.
“I couldn't imagine losing her,” he said. “It's given me a different perspective on life. Now when I drive, I make sure I'm always wearing my seatbelt. I'm more cautious about being safe.”
“What do you tell someone that loses his son -- his child-- like that?” he questioned, as he gazed pensively toward an abandoned center court.
“I had to do something. I talk to Zaire's dad on a daily basis. He tells me how much he appreciates me, that I'm doing this and how much he loves me for it.”
For Moore, the process of healing has only just begun. Coming to terms with the loss of his cousin at such a tender, young age is undoubtedly a long, arduous road to forge -- one that will be punctuated by the steady cadence of a ball hammering against the varnished floor, followed by its almost inaudible velvety slither spinning out of weathered hands.
Each time he repeats those motions, he will think of Zaire's legacy.
“I hope he gives me a little boost here and there,” Moore said.
Thump. Thump. Thump. Swish.
by Kami Mattioli, Owlsports.com Columnist
