Avery Moses, the young boy hailed as a “South End hero” for alerting his family to a deadly fire in Albany 11 years ago, has officially returned home to play college basketball. The 6-foot-4 guard, currently playing for Faith Family Academy of Oak Cliff in Dallas, Texas, gave his verbal commitment to University at Albany men’s basketball coach Dwayne Killings. Moses joins the Great Danes as a member of the recruiting class of 2027, marking a full-circle moment for a player who moved to Texas during middle school but never lost his connection to the 518 area code.
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The commitment underscores a narrative of resilience and local pride that has defined Moses’ public profile since 2015. As a first grader, Moses used his keen sense of smell to detect smoke during a November 19, 2015, blaze at his Broad Street apartment building, prompting him to wake his parents, Lynette and Anthony, and save their lives along with their neighbors. The city of Albany subsequently proclaimed a special day in his honor, and then-Mayor Kathy Sheehan labeled him the city’s “South End hero.” Now, Moses is channeling that same determination into his basketball career, aiming to make an impact at the collegiate level.
For UAlbany, securing Moses represents a significant boost to their 2027 recruiting class, adding a skilled guard with a compelling personal story that resonates deeply with the local fanbase. Moses emphasized the importance of giving back to the community that supported him during his childhood crisis, stating, “Coming back there and putting on for everyone who helped me along the way, that’s really big.” As the Great Danes continue to build their roster, Moses’ return signals a strong commitment to regional talent and offers fans a unique opportunity to watch a former local hero compete at the next level.
Source: Yahoo Sports
