Chance Moore named Atlantic 10 Player of the Week 

Senior transfer guard Chance Moore earned Atlantic 10 Player of the Week honors after a standout start to the season. Moore, a senior from Missouri State, has made an immediate impact at St. Bonaventure, averaging 22.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.0 steals, and 1.5 blocks in the team’s first two games.

Moore, who joined St. Bonaventure as a highly touted transfer, quickly adjusted to his new team. His athleticism, scoring ability and defensive presence have driven the Bonnies’ early success. His leadership on and off the court will be crucial as the team looks to build on its strong start.

Moore has been a key contributor, logging 61 total minutes across the two contests, tying for the team lead. In the Bonnies’ 87-78 win over Canisius, Moore scored 27 points on 9-of-13 shooting from the field and a perfect 8-of-8 from the free-throw line. Along with six rebounds, three blocks and two steals, those stats were all either team highs or tied for team highs.

“He’s got good length and athleticism,” said St. Bonaventure head coach Mark Schmidt following the Canisius victory. “From an athletic standpoint, he’s really gifted. When he plays the way he did today, we’re that much better as a team.”

Moore’s early performance has stood out in the stat sheet. He has posted a Box Plus-Minus (BPM) of 18.7 through two games. BPM is a per-100-possession statistic that compares a player’s overall impact on the game to the league average, which is 0.0. For reference, CBS Sports’ Preseason Freshman of the Year, Cooper Flagg, has a BPM of 9.4, making Moore’s mark of 18.7 particularly significant.

Although BPM is a valuable metric, it is based on a small sample size and should be monitored for potential regression or improvement as the season progresses. Still, Moore’s early-season metrics highlight his potential to become a standout player in the A-10.

While Moore grabs much of the attention, the Bonnies have found consistent success as a team in certain areas. They have been dominant in and around the paint, shooting an efficient 63% from inside the arc and 75% from the free-throw line. From beyond the arc, however, they have struggled, shooting just 24%. Schmidt hopes to improve this aspect of the game and has identified areas for growth.

“Hopefully, we can get better shooting the ball,” Schmidt said. “We have some decent shooters, but right now, it’s the beginning of the year, and we’ve got to go downhill and try to own the paint.”

In addition to Moore’s strong start, other players have stepped up in terms of production. Notable BPMs include Davonte Bowen at 7.0 and Lajae Jones at 6.7. These players, along with Moore, have been key contributors to Schmidt’s lineup.

As the Bonnies continue their journey through the 2024-25 season, Moore’s leadership and well-rounded play will be crucial. With a mix of talented players, including Bowen and Jones, St. Bonaventure has the potential to be one of the most competitive teams in the conference. If Moore can maintain his high level of play and the team improves its shooting from beyond the arc, the Bonnies could have a special season ahead.