Russell signs with MSU
BUHL — Sipsey Valley boys basketball star Martavious Russell has every ounce of support from his father Marvin Moore, a former Ole Miss men’s basketball player.
Russell, a three-time All-state selection and two-time Tuscaloosa News Super Five MVP, signed his letter of intent to Mississippi State on Wednesday afternoon in the Sipsey Valley gym.
Moore, a Rebel from 2003-05 under former coach Rod Barnes, says he’ll replace his navy blue and cardinal red for Mississippi State maroon and white when Russell plays.
“Yeah, of course I will,” Moore said as he joked that it will break his heart. “I’ll put down the blue and put on the maroon red. But I’ll do anything for him.”
Though his father was an SEC basketball player, Russell wasn’t a basketball player until he dropped baseball and football in his years leading to high school.
Moore played a big part in the realization for Russell. The son’s growing interest went hand-in-hand with his fascination for Moore’s highlights.
Russell capped his career-winning Alabama Sports Writers Association Class 5A Player of the Year season averaging 26.5 points, 9 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 4.1 blocks and 3.1 steals for the Bears.
He was also named to the Super Allstate team, making him one of the top players across all classifications.
“(My parents) tried to get me to pick up a basketball, but I was like, ‘No, I don’t I want it,’” Russell said. “I played it one year and it was something different. It was challenging for me. I like challenges. With me just now playing and other people playing their whole life, I had to adapt and I had to catch up to them and I kind of liked that.
“I stuck with it and I found a love for the game.”