Get well soon, A.J.

He was the “other” recruit in 2000, the one from the Atlanta area.

There was no doubt as to his skills - he was Mr. Basketball in his home state of Georgia as a high school senior – yet his name won’t be found near the top of the all-time statistical leaders for the Indiana Hoosiers.

But A.J. Moye is one of those players every good basketball team has to have, the guy whose effort never waned, and who remained proudly committed to Indiana basketball for his entire time in Bloomington.

As evidenced in the photo to the right, a favorite to many IU fans, A.J. Moye was one of the all-time heart and hustle players at Indiana.

Anyone who remembers the team’s 2002 run to the NCAA final has a special place in their heart for A.J. Moye. He came to IU in the same class as Jared Jeffries, and while Jeffries’ path has taken him to an ongoing career in the NBA, A.J. plied his trade overseas, most recently for Deutsche Bank Skyliners Frankfurt in Germany.

That’s where, during a practice this week, A.J. collided with a teammate. He later suffered a stroke as a result of the accident, and is now hospitalized.  

One of the toughest players in IU history - and easily one of the most beloved during the turmoil of the last decade - now fights to get well, his future uncertain. Regardless of whether he ever stops on the court again, IU fans will always remember the lift he provided his Hoosier squads.

There he is, all 6-foot-3 of him, blocking Duke big man Carlos Boozer as IU completed its comeback in the 2002 Sweet 16 against the defending national champions. With any luck, he will stand tall once again very soon.

Get well, A.J. Keep fighting.