Manual Arts senior Devin Moody is the captain of the Toilers boys basketball team. He helped the Toilers to a 17-10 overall record and an 11-1 Exposition League record.
Manual Arts reached the Division II City Section quarterfinals with the help of his 33.6 points and 14.2 rebounds per game.
“I just try to be a team player,” Moody said. “If they need me to score, I’ll score. If they need me to play defense, grab rebounds, I’m gonna pass the ball. I just try to be an all-around player.”
Against Diego Rivera in February, Moody scored 41 points, 12 rebounds, three blocks and three steals. When the two teams met in January, the Toilers defeated them 100-42. Moody scored 64 points in the matchup.
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His coaches always tell Moody the importance of being competitive.
“Push, always push through whatever obstacle,” Moody said. “Just to be given that drive.”
An improvement that Moody saw within himself this season was his ability to build bonds with his teammates.
“Just try to be there for my team, try to keep that team chemistry, try to be a leader each day,” Moody said. “I just try to be better as myself.”
A native of Belize, Moody started playing for the Toilers during his junior year.
“It was kind of hard leaving my family, so I gather myself, focus,” Moody said. “Keep reminding myself what I came here for. That keeps me going, keep that drive in me.”
The talent and skills that he displayed earned him a spot on the CIF All-City Division II First Team.
For Moody, being a student athlete means using the lessons learned in the classroom on the court.
“Without school, nothing is gonna work out … I got to be a student first,” Moody said. “I try to do my best in the classroom and then try to implement what I learned.”
Outside of basketball, Moody has experience playing tennis and golf. Moody noted how golf helps him learn to be patient; this lesson helps him in basketball.
“Golf is patience, so you got to be patient on the court,” Moody said. “Things might not be going your way every time on a basketball court. That don’t mean you give an attitude and then kill the vibe of the team.”
Moody aspires to study kinesiology in college and pursue a career in physical therapy.
