"It was a school bully that made me become the basketball player I am today..." The Basketball Journey of Marcus "ISO" Moore

The perception some people have of university athletes is that their path is easy or that there is little story to tell. Marcus Moore’s journey leading to representing the MacEwan University Griffins, is anything but ordinary. His path has been defined by relentless adversity, constant hustle, and unwavering perseverance. Far from being handed opportunities, Moore faced countless closed doors before earning the position he holds today.

Moore’s story does not begin in fancy gyms with top of the line equipment. It starts on the east side of Toronto, in Scarborough, a place that shaped him long before basketball ever did. The environment he grew up in demanded awareness, toughness and resilience at an early age, lessons that would later show up in his game and his mindset towards life.

“I grew up on the east side of Toronto, in Scarborough,” Moore said. “The area I was in was a bad area. There were a lot of gang-related activities. That’s how I grew up, living there. I moved there when I was three, so I’ve lived there my whole life,” said Moore.

Living in Scarborough according to Moore meant learning how to navigate danger, temptation and influence from a young age. For Moore, survival wasn’t just about staying safe from the various temptations, it was about staying focused. Every day came with choices, and not all of them led somewhere positive.

Growing up in the environment he came from was met with constant pressure to survive, to choose the right path, and to not get pulled into the wrong one. Moore knew early in life that distractions were everywhere, and that staying disciplined was key.

“I would say the most challenging part was not getting caught up in the bad stuff,” Moore said. “Where I’m from, it’s easy to get distracted. It’s easy to go off track. But I had a good group of people around me that kept me focused. And if it wasn’t for basketball and the community I built within it, I don’t know where I’d be today.”

That support system Moore developed became critical as he found something that could anchor him, something that felt purposeful. While basketball would eventually become that outlet pof expression for him, it wasn’t where his journey began.

Before the handles, the footwork and the isolation buckets, Moore was experimenting in finding his passion to find where he fit. He explored different activities, unsure of which direction would give him the best future.

“I had to pick at a young age what I was going to do?” Moore said. “It didn’t always start with basketball because I used to be a dancer. However, as much as I loved dancing, I realized that it wasn’t going to get me far. If I wanted a scholarship to go to college, I had to play a sport. At the time, I didn’t know what sport to play, so I was playing a whole bunch of sports until I picked up a basketball.”

Although he committed to basketball, dance never disappeared from his life. Instead, it quietly became part of who he was as an athlete, shaping how he moves on the court and how he sees the game.

“A lot of people don’t realize that dancing actually helps with basketball,” Moore said. “When I’m playing basketball, I’m dancing, and when I’m dancing, I’m playing basketball it’s the same thing.”

That rhythm, creativity and freedom mirrored Moore’s personality off the court as well. From a young age, he was known for his energy. As a kid, Moore’s personality stood out just as much as his movement.

“I was always an energetic kid. Growing up, I was the class clown making jokes. The teachers had to tell me to stop standing up in class and sit down, because I was always on my feet. I would even do my homework while standing up,” said Moore.

His energy became so noticeable that even his teachers began to adapt to it. Rather than trying to suppress who he was, there was one moment in elementary school that helped Moore understand himself better. Moore’s energy would be challenged during elementary school as his teacher infamously tested how active he really is.

“It got to the point where my second-grade teacher said, ‘You know what, I’m gonna take your chair away.’ When that happened, I honestly felt that was the best thing she could have done for me,” said Moore.

That moment reinforced something Moore already felt, that movement was how he processed the world. It wasn’t defiance or distraction; it was simply who he was.

“I’ve always enjoyed standing up doing my work, walking over to other people, seeing what they’re doing. I was that outgoing kid and even though I used to be shy and a little bit timid, I got out of my comfort zone really fast,” said Moore.

As he grew older, that confidence began to take shape as a mindset which was rooted in fearlessness and curiosity. Moore stopped worrying about rejection or how people thought of him and instead, leaned into more of who he was. That shift came with a simple philosophy he still lives by today.

“I always told myself the worst thing that people could say is no,” Moore said. “So I do that in my everyday life. I’ll ask the most random questions, and people are like, ‘Why would you ask something like that?’ And I’m like, I don’t care. The worst anyone could say is no. I’m not scared for someone to say no to me,” said Moore.

That self-assurance was reinforced at home, where Moore was raised in a household dominated by strong, influential women, an environment that instilled values long before basketball taught him discipline. At home, Moore was raised almost entirely by women as he credits them for learning the many values he instills in his life today.

“I grew up with women my whole life,” Moore said. “It was always just me, my mom, my grandparents, and my two aunts.”

From them, Moore absorbed lessons that extended far beyond sports. Respect, listening and emotional awareness became foundational pieces of the man that he was becoming.

“I learned about respect, how a man should treat women, and how a guy should listen to the women in his household,” Moore said. “I was taught to be a gentleman, and I feel like that helps me a lot in my everyday life,” said Moore.
“I was never allowed to be disrespectful or rude,” he said. “I was pretty sensitive as a kid, so my mom never hit me or anything, my mom’s words are what hurt me the most. When I was a kid, I learned what discipline was in the right way.”

As Moore continued to grow, basketball shifted from an interest into a refuge. But that transformation didn’t come from praise or encouragement, it came from pain. Basketball became more than an outlet or a fun game for Moore. Instead, a particular incident occurred that ultimately triggered Moore’s profound love and passion for the game.

“I used to get picked on a lot as a kid,” Moore said. “At the time, I didn’t know why I got picked on, and I always thought there was something wrong with me,” said Moore.

Unfortunately for Moore, being bullied was a constant routine he would endure until one day, a particular bully and instance happened that shook him to his core.

“One day I got so fed up by this one particular bully who would pick on my ability to play basketball. I told him, ‘You’re not even that good at basketball,’ and we went back and forth. He said he’d give me a week because ‘I sucked so bad.’
“I went home and watched as many basketball videos and tutorials as I could, practicing every morning before school. We ended up playing before school one day, and kids started coming and watching. It turned into a big crowd, and I ended up beating him and everyone went crazy,” said Moore.
“After that day, I was just like, you know what, I’m gonna keep playing basketball and prove everyone wrong. I loved the feeling, the oohs and aahs, and that’s when I fell in love with the sport. I always tell everyone it was a bully that made me play, an elementary school bully. And the irony of it all is that he doesn’t play basketball anymore, and I do,” said Moore.

That rush of beating the same bully that would pick on him only validated that Moore could find success in basketball. Once he discovered that feeling, a bigger realization came to fruition that he can actually pursue playing basketball long-term.

As Moore progressed, the realities of life in Scarborough never disappeared. Friends were lost. Violence was close, but basketball continued to exist. Through all the chaos, the court remained constant.

“Basketball is a safe space for me,” Moore said. “It’s something I love doing, and just being on a court helps me. I used to play many basketball games that would last over 40 minutes long. I felt as though basketball grounded me when times were tough,” said Moore.

While there were many instances where life tested Moore beyond comprehension, he never walked alone. Coaches, trainers and mentors shaped him, kept him accountable and even helped open doors.

Coming out of high school, Moore’s path appeared set. But timing, maturity and circumstance quickly reshaped what he thought his future would look like.

“Coming out of high school, I had 10 Division One offers and unfortunately, It ended up not working out because my grades did not meet the requirements,” said Moore. “I was very naive and stubborn as a kid. I was like, ‘Nah, I’ve seen so-and-so go to Division One with bad grades, so I can get in.’ And right when I was graduating, COVID hit, so everything got messed up. I wasn’t eligible for the NCAA, so I ended up having to go to Junior College and honestly, that was probably the lowest point in my basketball career. I stayed in my room for 49 days. Didn’t come out and felt very down.”

What followed was isolation, not just from basketball, but from the version of himself he once believed in. Even the people closest to him struggled to pull him out of that darkness.

“My friends were trying to lift me up, but I didn’t want to touch a basketball. I didn’t touch a ball for 49 days. Eventually, I went outside, saw light for the first time in weeks, and started thinking, okay, maybe I work a job and so, I started working at the Boys and Girls Club, the same place I used to play basketball,” said Moore.

As he began to re-enter the world and start fresh, basketball found its way back to him, but not without obstacles. While the interest returned, stability did not.

“Word got out that I left Junior College early, and a bunch of coaches started reaching out, but my school credits didn’t transfer over. Most said I couldn’t come. The one school that really wanted me was Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo. I had a week of training after 49 days off, went to a workout, and it was the worst workout of my life. I couldn’t last five minutes. The coach sat me down and said, ‘If you’re gonna come here, I need the old version of you. The hungry, dog version of you.’ That motivated me. I said to myself and to him, ‘This won’t ever happen again.’”

That moment became a turning point for Moore. His hunger and love for the game replaced doubt and isolation he once endured. Moore committed fully to rebuilding himself both physically and mentally.

“I was in the gym every day. I ended up at Humber College, watched nationals in Toronto, and realized I actually loved basketball again. Coach Omar Miles took a chance on me. I played a few games, then got a concussion. Came back, played one more game, then got hit in the head again in practice. They told me I might be out for the season. I had to make the hard decision to leave and transfer,” said Moore.

Setbacks continued to test his resolve, but Moore refused to stop believing. Each interruption forced him to reset, and each reset demanded more patience.

“I ended up signing with Durham College in Ontario, then got a call from Coach Thomas Corey at Nipissing University. He wanted to see me play. I worked out all summer, played amazing, and he gave me a chance. I played one year, got Rookie of the Year, then in the second year, I tore my lateral meniscus and had surgery.”

Injuries, transfers and uncertainty became part of the vigorous journey Moore endured, but so did resilience. Through it all, Moore leaned on advice that never left him.

“Even through all that, I kept pushing. Coach Omar’s advice stuck with me: ‘You’re not a College player, you're a university player so play like one.’ I waited, found the right opportunity, and now I’m here at MacEwan University representing the Griffins,” said Moore.

Since arriving in MacEwan, Moore’s experience has been nothing but excellent. According to head coach David Kapinga, having Moore on the roster has been therapeutic.

“Having a player like Marcus has been really powerful for us,” said Kapinga. “Coming off last season, there were some scars in terms of confidence, and Marcus helped fix a lot of that. Even if he has a bad game, the next day he plays like he’s the best player in the country. Our team needed to learn that, learn how to take punches and still play with confidence. That mindset is part of Marcus’s DNA, and it’s spread throughout our group.”

Additionally to Moore’s confidence and overall prowess on the court, Kapinga has been even more impressed by the type of person he is off the court.

“I’d describe Marcus as confident, passionate, friendly, and a hooper,” said Kapinga. Honestly, I’d even replace ‘hooper’ with ‘artist,’ because he really uses basketball as a way to express himself and impact the people around him. Marcus is friendly and loud, but also quiet and thoughtful at times. He’s incredibly selfless and goes out of his way to help people all the time. That’s something I really love about him,” said Kapinga.

Moore is not only an exceptional basketball player but also a remarkable person off the court. Despite the adversity he has faced throughout his life, he continued to persevere, ultimately proving doubters and bullies wrong at every turn. Examining his story at this depth has deepened my appreciation for the journey athletes experience at any level. At its core, Moore’s story is one of relentless effort, resilience, and the belief that anything is possible when you commit your heart and mind to it.

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