Hall of Fame
Otto Moore played at Pan American College from 1964-68, finishing as the program's all-time leader in points (1,880), rebounds (1,679), and field goals (761/1,560). As a senior, he led the team to the NCAA Division II second round, averaging 24.6 points and 18.5 rebounds. He recorded three of the program's top six rebounding seasons, including 20.1 rebounds per game as a sophomore and 19.3 rebounds as a junior.
Moore was named an NCAA DII All-American in his final three seasons as he earned second team honors as a senior, third team honors as a junior, and an honorable mention as a sophomore.
Moore is responsible for three of the top six rebounding seasons in program history, earning Third Team All-American honors as a junior after averaging 19.3 rebounds, the fourth-highest total in program history, for a total of 463 rebounds, the sixth-highest total. He was also an All-American Honorable Mention as a sophomore after averaging 20.1 rebounds, the second-highest total in program history, for a total of 562 rebounds, which ranks third.
A 1968 first round pick (sixth overall) in the NBA Draft by the Detroit Pistons, Moore had a nine-year NBA career with the Pistons (1969-71, 75-76), Phoenix Suns (1971-72), Houston Rockets (1972-73), Kansas City Kings (1973-74) and New Orleans Jazz (1975-77).
Across 682 games, Moore averaged 8.2 points and 8.2 rebounds. In 1975-76, Moore was a defensive juggernaut ranking seventh in defensive rating (92.3) and eighth in blocks (136) and blocks per game (1.7) He averaged double-doubles in 1969-70 (11.9 points, 11.1 rebounds) and 1972-73 (11.7 points, 10.6 rebounds).
During his NBA career, Moore had the opportunity to bring his team to campus, leading the Pistons against the Suns in an exhibition game at what was then known as the Pan American Fieldhouse on Oct. 10, 1970.
Moore has scored the most points (5,616) and played the most seasons (9) of any men’s basketball alum. UTRGV retired the No. 34 in honor of Moore in 2016.
