“Coach Poppie gave me a chance. He actually recruited me back in 8th grade, so we’ve always had that connection.”
In the latest episode of Beyond The Paw Podcast, Clemson student-athletes Eve Jackson (gymnastics), Mia McGrath (volleyball), and Tori Niemann (Assistant Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Development) sat down with Clemson Women’s Basketball guard Mia Moore for an inspiring and thoughtful conversation.
Moore, who is heading into her senior season at Clemson, opened up about her basketball journey, her deep connection with head coach Shawn Poppie, and what she hopes to leave behind at Clemson — not just as an athlete, but as a person.
A Basketball Journey Rooted in Family and Passion
Before arriving in Tigertown, Moore played at Mississippi State and UAB. But her basketball roots stretch far beyond college gyms — they’re embedded in family legacy and personal passion. “Growing up, basketball was really all I knew,” Moore said. “Basketball kind of just gravitated to me, it has my heart.”
It’s no surprise that Moore fell in love with the game early. Her father played basketball at Creighton, and her mother was a track and field athlete at St. John’s. Moore herself balanced basketball and track for much of her early athletic career. That competitive spirit and athleticism are clearly in her DNA.
A Full-Circle Moment with Coach Shawn Poppie
One of the more emotional highlights of the episode came when Moore talked about her relationship with Coach Poppie. Their connection goes way back, all the way to middle school.
“Coach Poppie gave me a chance. He actually recruited me back in 8th grade, so we’ve always had that connection,” Moore shared. “He’s just stayed consistent from when I was in eighth grade, honestly.”
Now playing for him at Clemson, Moore has witnessed firsthand the program’s growth under his leadership. “We had a 99% increase from last year and that just speaks volumes about who Coach Poppie is,” she said. “He wants to get out in the community and really meet who his fans are. There’s never a day that goes by I feel like he’s not talking to donors or IPTAY. He’s just that type of guy who wants to have those connections.”
The Story Behind No. 12
Every number has a story, and for Mia Moore, her choice to wear No. 12 is a deeply personal one.
“My birthday is on May 12th, my grandma’s birthday is May 12th, and my mom’s birthday is on January 12th,” Moore explained. “It just felt right.”
NIL, Nerds, and Building a Brand
Moore also briefly touched on NIL and her involvement with a deal through Nerds candy — a fun but meaningful step into the world of athlete branding. While the details were light, it was another example of how today’s athletes are finding creative ways to connect with companies and fans.
Legacy Over Labels
As the episode wound down, Moore was asked what she wants to be remembered for during her time at Clemson — and her answer struck a chord.
“Probably just being that Clemson Women’s Basketball player that is not just an athlete but also a student who can still get her work done and still get good grades and still just have an impact on the Clemson community,” she said. “I don’t want to be known as Mia Moore the basketball player. I want to actually leave a legacy of who I was as a person and how I impacted other people.”
It was a powerful moment that reminded listeners of the depth behind the uniform, the work ethic, the values, the desire to give back. It also was a display of the mindset that Coach Shawn Poppie wants his players to have beyond the basketball court.
What’s Next for Mia Moore?
As she enters her final year of eligibility, Moore is locked in. She’s focused on growth, learning from last season, and welcoming the new faces joining the team.
“I’m most looking forward to getting in the gym and working on the things I need to work on so I don’t make the same mistakes I made last season,” she said. “I’m also excited to start getting to know the new players on the team”. Clemson Women’s Basketball will have a bunch of new faces this upcoming season with six transfers and three freshmen joining the squad.
Final Thoughts
This episode of Beyond The Paw offered a well-rounded and heartfelt look into the life of Mia Moore — not just as a basketball player, but as a student, daughter, teammate, and future leader. From family roots and eighth-grade recruiting stories to NIL ventures and legacy talk, Moore showed what it means to embrace the full student-athlete experience at Clemson.
And as she continues to leave her mark on the court, it’s clear that Mia Moore is also building something much bigger than that which is a legacy of character, consistency, and connection that will take her a long way in her journey of life.
