E'Twaun Moore

Adam Fluck

With the 31st pick in the 1991 NBA Draft...

It’s a moment Chicago native Randy Brown will never forget, hearing his name called that night.

For Brown, who prepped at Collins on the city’s West Side and played collegiately at Houston and New Mexico State, it was an indication that all of his efforts had paid off. At the same time, it inspired him to work even harder as he eyed the future.

Those same themes were on display on Wednesday night as Brown, along with Nikola Mirotic, E'Twaun Moore and Cameron Bairstow, attended the 24th annual “Hoops to Homework” draft at Chicago’s Mercy Home for Boys &amp; Girls.

Mercy Home, which has been in existence for 127 years, embraces youth who have experienced a significant amount of abuse or neglect. The residence on Jackson Boulevard about a mile east of the United Center is home to 110 boys between the ages of 11 and 18.

Mimi LeClair, vice president of advancement at Mercy Home, estimates that upon arrival, kids have roughly a 20 percent chance of graduating high school. She’s proud to report Mercy Home residents boast a 100 percent graduation rate.

Part of that success is due to their Hoops for Homework program.

“Basketball really incentivizes these kids and that’s a language that they understand. So in order for them to do their homework every night, we created Hoops to Homework,” explained LeClair. “If you do your homework and work hard in school, you can earn the right to be on one of the teams.”

On the night LeClair calls the “pinnacle of the program”, approximately 60 of the residents participated in an NBA-style draft and were placed on teams—either the Bulls, Cavaliers, Clippers or Spurs— for a series of tournament-style games that take place throughout February and March.

“There’s a lot of suspense because they don’t know what team they’ll be on,” said LeClair. “It’s about teamwork, competition and having fun. And it’s not only the kids who play, it’s also the volunteers and tutors who they work with during the week. It’s been a perfect formula.”

As the youth heard their names called this week, there was Brown, Mirotic, Moore and Bairstow next to the podium to high five and congratulate them.

“My emotions and my reaction on draft night were a lot like the ones the kids experienced tonight,” said Brown, who serves as assistant general manager for the Bulls and won three NBA championships as a player with the team from 1996-98. “I remember sitting with my family and enjoying the moment. To see these kids’ eyes and faces light up, it was a special moment for them and I’m glad I got to experience it.”

Prior to the draft, Brown spoke to the residents and delivered a powerful message. As someone who faced his own challenges growing up not far from the residence, Brown knows it can be tough to make it out of a bad neighborhood. But he stressed, no one should tell you it can’t be done. And the way it can be done, Brown explained, is through education.

Brown believes strongly he wouldn’t have had a basketball career without education; it is what helped make his dreams a reality.

“It’s an easy message for me to deliver because that’s the life I lived growing up on the West Side of Chicago,” Brown said. “The only way for me to make it out was through education. The message is clear and 100 percent true. There were a lot of kids here tonight who reminded me of myself. They needed hope and a second chance. They can get those things here through education.”

Like Brown, Moore is a local product having grown up in East Chicago and later attending Purdue. Selected 55th overall in 2011, he selected that as his jersey number for motivation, believing he could have or should have gone higher.

Mirotic, taken 23rd overall in 2011, wasn’t able to watch the draft on TV as he was in Bilbao, Spain, playing in the 2011 FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship. But the phone calls from the Bulls came in and it was a dream realized.

Bairstow was taken with the 49th overall selection in 2014 and he summed it up as well as anyone: “It’s something you dream about your whole life and I think we saw tonight with these kids how much it can mean. It’s a special experience and I like how they replicated it. It’s something the kids obviously enjoyed.”

While their own draft memories will last a lifetime, Mirotic, Moore and Bairstow all agree—it would not have been possible without education along the way. That’s why Brown’s message not only resonated with the players, but with the residents on hand as well.

“For these kids, it’s a very important day,” said Mirotic. “It’s a big step for them and I hope they enjoyed it. Now they can go to work but of course they need to study along the way. Like Randy said, don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do something. It was a very good message to share with the kids here.”

“A lot of these kids, I was in their shoes and I experienced some tough situations,” Moore explained. “It wasn’t always easy but I know how great it is to have people around who support you and can help you grow as a person, whether that is in or outside of the classroom. For the basketball players, this program gives them a little more reason to do well and hopefully it inspires them.”

“Being at an event like this is something I enjoy because you see the happiness on everyone’s faces and get the opportunity to do something that is so important to them,” Bairstow said. “For them to be so motivated and excited to play one game a week is an awesome thing.”

bulls-congratulate-mercy-home-residents-on-their-own-draft-night

Bulls congratulate Mercy Home residents on their own draft night

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The East Chicago, Ind. native, a veteran of three NBA seasons, signed with the Bulls on Thursday in a move that adds depth to the team’s backcourt. 

“It’s definitely an honor to be here,” said Moore, who played collegiately at Purdue, after signing his deal. “Being from East Chicago, I grew up watching the Bulls. My whole family was watching them too so it is special to be here with the opportunity to play for my hometown team.” 

Moore said Cleveland and Memphis were among the other teams he considered. But the chance to play in Chicago was too enticing to pass up. 

“The Bulls are a team I’ve definitely wanted to play for my whole life,” Moore said. “But I also considered the roster and the coaching staff. It’s always good to go to a winning program. We’re going to have a good team with a winning mentality. We’ve got a great coach and it’s easy to see how hard this team plays. At the end of the day, though, nothing beats being in Chicago.” 

General Manager Gar Forman noted that Moore has proven himself in the league while also showing there is room for improvement. 

“E’Twaun is a young guard who we really like and he’s got a lot of potential,” said Forman. “He’s shown that he’s got some versatility given he can play at both the one and two. He can also shoot the ball. We feel he’s absolutely our kind of guy—he’s a worker and we are confident he’ll be a good fit with our roster.” 

With career averages of 6.2 points, 1.8 assists and 1.8 rebounds in 18.3 minutes, Moore feels he has learned the ropes of the NBA and developed the mentality it takes to stick around. 

“I’ve learned how to be a professional, coming in ready to work hard every day and keeping your head up through wins and losses,” said Moore, the 55th overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, of one season in Boston and two in Orlando. “I just want to keep growing and keep getting better. It’s a never-ending process to keep trying to improve each and every year.” 

Listed at 6-4, 191, Moore has played at both the point guard and shooting guard positions. Though he considers shooting guard to be his natural position, having played it in his younger years, the time he’s spent at point guard with the Celtics and Magic should have served him well, he explained. 

“I feel comfortable playing either position,” said Moore. “I try to be versatile and will do whatever it takes to get me minutes on the court. I’ve played more at shooting guard over my life, but ever since I’ve been in the NBA, I’ve played a lot of point guard, especially in Boston. Now, I feel just as comfortable playing the point as any other position.” 

As Moore settles back in to a city knows well, he’s getting acclimated to new teammates and a new organization. So far, he likes what he sees.

“We’ve got a great group of guys, a great team,” said Moore. “Derrick [Rose] is very explosive and Joakim [Noah] brings a lot of energy. I think it will be easy to fit in and play off those guys. I just need to knock down open shots. We’ve got a lot of shooters with guys like Doug [McDermott] and [Nikola] Mirotic, so I’ll get them the ball when they’re open and just play ball, let the game come to me.”

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Bulls add backcourt depth with local product Moore

September 18, 2014—The Chicago Bulls announced today the team has signed guard E’Twaun Moore (EE-twan).  In accordance with team policy, terms of the contract were not announced.

Moore (6-4, 191), comes to the Bulls after spending the last two seasons with the Orlando Magic.  Drafted out of Purdue University in the second round of the 2011 NBA Draft (55th overall) by the Boston Celtics, Moore spent one season with the Celtics (2011-12). 

Last season with the Magic, Moore appeared in 79 games (three starts) and averaged 6.3 ppg, 1.7 rpg and 1.4 apg in 19.1 mpg.  He shot .428 from the field, .354 from downtown and .765 from the line. 

A native of East Chicago, Ind., Moore has played in 192 regular season games (24 starts) and posted averages of 6.2 ppg, 1.8 apg, 1.8 rpg, 18.3 mpg, .407 field goal shooting, .350 three-point shooting and .791 from the line.  

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Bulls sign guard E'Twaun Moore

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