Four-Star Transfer Guard Elijah Moore Commits To Utah Basketball
Apr 16, 2025, 5:32 PM
KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE - DECEMBER 03: Elijah Moore #8 of the Syracuse Orange dribbles the ball against Jordan Gainey #11 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the first half of the game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Syracuse Orange at Thompson-Boling Arena on December 03, 2024 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images)
(Photo by Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY—Alex Jensen and his Utah basketball program just landed Syracuse guard Elijah Moore’s third transfer portal commitment of the cycle.
He has joined James Okonkwo and Terrence Brown as Utah’s transfer additions, while Kendyl Sanders has also joined from the prep ranks.
Moore is a promising guard from the Bronx, NY, Moore played his freshman year for the Orange this past season.
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Four-star transfer Elijah Moore commits to Utah
After officially visiting the program the past two days, Moore committed to the Runnin’ Utes. This recruitment was spearheaded by Raphael Chillious, and after a good experience on his visit, Moore liked the fit.
Moore is a promising prospect with the sort of game Utah needs in the backcourt. He possesses good athleticism and size, along with a promising skill set.
Playing time was up and down, but Moore showed plenty of promise at times. Moore scored highs of 24 points against Tennessee, 19 against Cornell, and 16 against Maryland.
Considering this was only his freshman season, there is good potential for Jensen and staff to work with and develop.
How does Moore fit with Utah basketball?
Utah’s roster is far from finalized, so as the staff continues to build the roster, his role will become more defined.
However, Moore looks like a good fit next to Brown. He looks comfortable as a secondary ballhandler, who can create for others at times. He looks best as an off-ball guard, who can provide space with his shooting.
Moore was considered one of the top shooters coming out of the 2024 recruiting class. He earned a 93 four-star rating according to 247 Sports and ranked as the No. 59 prospect in the class.
So, despite only averaging 5.2 points per game on 39% shooting from the field, Moore is still considered one of the better backcourt options in the portal. He’s earned a 92 four-star transfer rating according to 247 Sports, and ranks as the No. 140 overall player.
He possesses solid shooting mechanics and has flashed the ability to knock down 3-point shots off the catch or dribble. He can attack the paint, either creating for himself or others, and has displayed crafty finishes around the rim.
The fit will be even better if Moore can raise his shooting percentage from behind the 3-point line. Given how scouts evaluate his jump shot and shooting potential, Moore should progress in that area of his game.
Given his 6-foot-4 frame, Moore seems to have a plus-wingspan, which should help him on the defensive end. He showed the ability to deflect passes and poke away dribbles with his long arms.
Alex Jensen and staff continue to build out the 2025-26 roster
Moore joins Kendyl Sanders, James Okonkwo, and Terrence Brown in the class, as well as Keanu Dawes, Ibi Traore, and Alvin Jackson. That brings Utah’s roster to a total of seven players, leaving them with eight open spots.
Moore was part of a group of visitors that included Cincinnati transfer forward Tyler Betsey and Kelvin Odih, a top 75 prospect in the 2025 recruiting class. Odih will follow through with a visit to Maryland, but he will continue to be a big focus for Utah.
The Runnin’ Utes have added some solid pieces and must continue to secure players who will help them compete in the Big 12 next season. More importantly, though, Utah should focus on players that have room—in terms of potential and eligiblity— to grow under Jensen and his staff.
Utah will continue to bring in players for visits and with eight spots to fill, Utah has plenty of work to do to.
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Setting the foundation: Utah’s culture starts with defense
Roster building is urgent—but culture is permanent. Jensen isn’t just recruiting players. He’s building a program, and that starts with identity. For Utah, that identity will start on the defensive end.
“I want to build something, I don’t want to build a new team every year, but build some continuity that way,” Alex Jensen said in an interview with NCAA reporter Andy Katz.
“Watching Houston make their run, Kelvin [Sampson] does such a good job, he gets his guys to play so hard,” Jensen shared. “That’s something the assistants I’ve hired talk about. That’s who we measure ourselves to and we’ve got to get kids that are tough like that and compete like them.”
In Jensen’s vision, the Runnin’ Utes will be a disciplined, gritty, tough, defensive-minded program. Think closeouts with purpose. Rotations with urgency. Contests without fouling. Utah isn’t going to outgun everyone—they’ll out-tough them.
