Valparaiso University men’s basketball head coach Roger Powell Jr. has announced two additions to his staff as A.J. Moye has been named an assistant coach, while Quintin Garrison joins the staff as Director of Basketball Operations.

Moye, a standout at Indiana University during his playing days who took the Hoosiers to the 2002 national title game before beginning a professional playing career, has trained professional and collegiate players since 2011 as part of Rising Talent Development (Mamba Sports Academy + Sports Academy), serving as the Master Basketball Trainer for Kobe Bryant’s academy.

Moye and Powell were adversaries during their collegiate days as Big Ten rivals, and later finished out their playing careers as teammates with Skyliners Frankfurt in Germany in 2010-11.

“The opportunity to join the coaching staff at Valparaiso University means the world to me,” Moye said. “Roger Powell and I have been going at it since college, when he played at Illinois and I played at Indiana. I could not be happier and more energetic to come back to Indiana for my first college coaching position. I’ve experienced the love of the game in the Hoosier State. I’m a worker; I’m up at 4:30 every morning. I love working and getting after it. My specialty is skill development. I can’t wait to get to Valpo and get started.”

Moye has trained countless NBA players including All-Stars DeMar Derozan and Kyrie Irving as well as former No. 1 overall pick Markelle Fultz. Since 2014, he has been part of the boys varsity basketball staff at Oak Park High School in Oak Park, Calif., where the team was ranked in the top 25 in the state of California in every year of his tenure. He previously served as the head boys varsity basketball coach at Oak Christian High School in Westlake Village, Calif. from 2012-2014.

“Playing against A.J. at Illinois and then playing together professionally, I’ve been able to develop a great relationship with him,” Powell said. “His work ethic and winning pedigree bode extremely well for Valpo Basketball. He has tremendous recognition in the state of Indiana, and I’m excited to add another Final Four to our coaching staff.”

There is no shortage of NCAA Tournament success on Valpo’s staff, as Moye and Powell have both played in the Final Four and Powell and assistant coach Matt Gordon have both coached in the Final Four. Powell is one of just 12 coaches in the last 25 years who has coached in the national title game after previously having played in the national title game. Only two of those coached in the national title game after having played in it for a different school – Powell and Kenny Payne (Louisville / Kentucky).

After earning Mr. Basketball in the state of Georgia in 2000 and earning All-American status at Westlake High School, Moye became a standout with the Hoosiers, where he played from 2000-2004 after coming in as part of head coach Bob Knight’s final recruiting class at IU. He went on to play in the professional ranks in Iceland, Germany and Finland. During that time, he was a 2011 German League All-Star, the 2010 Finnish Basketball Defensive Player of the Year and Finnish MVP, a 2006 German League All-Star and the 2006 Icelandic League MVP.

Moye’s playing career ended abruptly and his life journey was put on hold when he suffered a stroke.

“After my stroke, I was starting from Square 1,” he said. “I couldn’t walk; I couldn’t talk. It took seven or eight months for me to start walking and moving, and it took me a year or two to fully get back on my feet. It’s a humbling experience to go through after you were one of the top athletes in the world. Once I went through that, I knew I could get through anything. It’s all about faith.”

Moye’s family includes his wife Cynthia, his daughter Solana (20), his daughter Bella (4), his son Elisha Kobe (1) and his daughter Lola Faith (three weeks).

Garrison arrives at Valpo after previously serving as the associate head coach at Trinity International University, where he had been part of the staff since 2018. Prior to that, he spent six seasons on the coaching staff at Bolingbrook High School in Illinois and helped the team to a 94-26 record over his final four seasons. Garrison has coached and developed two NBA players and five others who have gone on to play professionally in Europe.

“I’ve known Quintin for years and have helped him in his development,” Powell said. “I’m excited to give him an opportunity at the Division-I level. His business-savvy and accounting background will be great for our operations position here at Valpo. His ties to basketball in the state of Illinois will also be a tremendous asset for our program.”

In 2014, Garrison founded Hoopers Basketball Club, a travel basketball organization. He operated as a coach and director of operations and recruiting. Garrison graduated from the University of Illinois in 2005 with a degree in finance. He and his wife Kay have two children, daughter Audrey and son Gavin.

“The main reasons why I’m joining the staff are Coach Powell’s vision for the basketball program and for the opportunity to lead and develop these young men,” Garrison said. “It’s exciting to see the plan he has for growth on and off the court and to set the foundation for Valpo Basketball.” 

Moye and Garrison join the previously-announced trio of Pat Baldwin, Matt Gordon and Kylen Butler on Powell’s staff.  

What They’re Saying About Coach Moye

Jaime Jaquez Jr., 2023 Pac-12 Player of the Year, Second Team All-American for UCLA: “A.J. has been a huge part in helping me and my career. He has been my mentor, trainer, friend, big brother and a man who believed in me when no one else did. What he can bring to a program is great energy, a positive attitude and an ability to get the best out of his players. He can relate to his players because he has been in their shoes and knows what’s to be expected. His basketball IQ is at an extremely high level. What I value most is that he instills confidence in his players and gets the best out of them at all times. He is more than just a coach, he is a leader and teaches lessons that carry beyond basketball. He will make an impact that will last a lifetime.”

Riley Battin, Four-Year Starter at Utah, Scored Over 1,000 Collegiate Points: “A.J. Moye is a fantastic person and trainer. He is able to connect with all kinds of players in a personal way that builds real love with those around him. His commitment to the game and constant improvement is so contagious to those around him. He is a selfless leader who has impacted so many throughout his life.”

What They’re Saying About Quintin Garrison

Todd Abernethy, FAU Assistant Coach: “Valpo made a great hire in Quintin. Not only is he a great coach and teacher of the game, but he has a unique ability to connect with players and gain their trust. He will be an amazing mentor to the young men on the team and will add value to the program because of his experience at the high school and college level. He was an invaluable resource in my first year as a college head coach, and I’m confident that he will do the same for Coach Powell and Valpo Basketball.”

Greg Miller, Trinity International Head Coach: “Coach Q is excellence personified. The way he approaches his work on a daily basis is the same approach that every program in the country would be happy to have. He made our program better each day through building genuine relationships with our players, recruiting high character and high caliber players, helping each player to be the best possible version of himself on and off the court and all while being a man of integrity. Coach Q is a great hire for Valpo Basketball.”