Moody and Gielo advance to professional play

Posted on Jul 7 2016 - 7:00am by Annie Mapp
Stefan Moody dunks during the opening game in the Pavilion against Alabama. (Photo by: Logan Kirkland)

Stefan Moody dunks during the opening game in the Pavilion against Alabama. (File photo by Logan Kirkland)

Former Ole Miss guard Stefan Moody will continue his basketball career overseas playing for Trabzonspor of the Turkish Super League, according to the Rebels’ basketball Twitter account.

Despite being only 5 feet 10 inches and 179 pounds, Moody led the Southeastern Conference in scoring last season. He ranks No. 3 in Ole Miss program history in free-throw shooting, No. 6 in career scoring and 3-pointers average, and No. 19 in career points, totaling 1294.

Despite playing just two seasons, Moody managed to receive substantial recognition for his success as a basketball player. For two straight seasons, he was named First Team All-SEC Selection and was a C Spire Howell Trophy recipient for the best men’s college basketball player in Mississippi.

His senior year at Ole Miss, Moody knocked down 103 3-pointers, which is the third-most in school history, and scored double figures in all 31 games. Topping the 20-point mark 23 times, the 30-point mark five times, and the 40-point mark once, he led the men’s basketball team and ranked No. 5 in the nation for scoring.

During his senior night, he set his career’s peak by scoring 43 points against MSU by knocking down six 3-pointers and dishing out eight assists in the win.

Regardless of his achievements, the Kissimmee, Florida, native went un-drafted last month. His small frame is more than likely what kept him from playing basketball at the NBA level. Although he did not receive NBA offers, he was shown interest from six NFL teams, according to his agent, Jason Elam.

Moody’s former teammate Tomasz Gielo has also been given the opportunity to play professionally. Gielo will be playing for the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2016 Summer League that began on July 4. The 76ers’ summer league has played in the Utah summer league against the Boston Celtics, San Antonio Spurs and Utah Jazz from Monday to today.

Gielo, who is 6 feet 9inches and 228 pounds, played forward for one season in Oxford. Finishing No. 2 on the team in 3-pointers made, No. 3 in scoring and No. 4 in rebounding.

He is originally from Szczecin, Poland, and attended Liberty University before transferring to Ole Miss. Last month, he worked out with the 76ers, Los Angeles Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers while participating in an open workout Entersport Management held in Las Vegas.