The Angolan Basketball family is mourning the death of Reggie Moore, who passed away on Monday, June 12 in Luanda at the age of 42.
Despite rumours, Moore’s cause of death hasn’t been made official by his family.
An Angolan Basketball Federation statement emphasised that Moore “honoured our national team colours with respect and determination.”
Born in the US, Moore became one of the few Americans to acquire Angolan citizenship in 2013.
Ever since he settled in Angola in 2009, he felt the Southern African country was the place to continue his career and family life.
And in addition to playing for the Angolan national team, Moore featured for several Angolan clubs, including Primeiro de Agosto, Petro de Luanda, Recreativo do Libolo and Inter Clube.
He made his Angolan national team debut at the 2013 FIBA AfroBasket in Abidjan, in a competition he played a huge in helping Angola win their last African Championship title.
A terrific three-point shooter, Moore helped Angola to a second place finish at the 2015 FIBA AfroBasket. His national team career saw him playing at the 2017 edition of the AfroBasket, 2014 and 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cups, and 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
Moore was part of the Petro de Luanda team that won the 2015 FIBA Africa Champions Cup, and helped his adopted country to the title of the 2015 African Games in Brazzaville.
“Reggie Moore was highly proud of becoming an Angolan citizen and have the opportunity of representing our national team,” FAB’s statement read, adding: “At this moment of grief, Moore fill our hearts with good memories. An intelligent and honest man, he was always ready to make sacrifices. We salute this great man.”
“The Angolan Basketball Federation pay its respect to his family in this difficult moment,”
Before his last appearance for Angola at the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup in China, Moore shared with FIBA.basketball his thoughts on wearing the Angolan jersey.
“One of the reasons why I was given [Angolan] citizenship was because of the way I adjusted to life in Angola. It was very easy for me,” he said. “I had played in Spain, Portugal, all over the world, but I never really found a place that I wanted to stay and make a life.
“Ten years later, I am playing for the national team, still the place I call home, probably the place where I’m going to spend most of the rest of my life. I have a family here. That’s probably why they felt comfortable to give me citizenship and that’s why I accepted it. I have represented the national team since Day 1. I have a lot of pride and a lot of respect for the country.”
Will Voigt who coached Angola between 2017 and 2019 wrote: “I am so crushed by this news. Reggie was a gentle giant and a huge part of our success with the National Team. He will be sorely missed. My condolences to his family.”
Source: FIBA
