A Postal Service employee who was once a local hoops star has had a community gym named in her honor.
The Pearl Moore Basketball Center in Florence, SC, is named for a hall of fame player who now works as a custodian at the local Post Office.
“When I first started this game, I didn’t have an inkling that because of the things that I achieved over the course of my playing career, a building would be named after me,” Moore said. “I’m living proof that it can be done.”
Moore played for Florence’s Wilson High School and then Francis Marion University, where she scored 4,061 points — an average of 30 points per game.
After college, Moore played professionally for three years — two seasons in the Women’s Professional Basketball League and one season in Venezuela. She’s a member of six different halls of fame, including the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.
In addition to her accomplishments on the court, Moore has also made a name for herself among her colleagues.
“Pearl has lived a life that also defines Postal Service values: people, excellence, integrity and community responsibility,” said Florence Postmaster Rando Strickland.
The 31,525-square-foot gym named after Moore includes three full-sized basketball courts and will be home to a youth basketball league, travel tournaments and the Pee Dee Picklers, a pickle-ball team.
The city dedicated the building last month.
Said Moore: “Normally, buildings are named after people who are deceased, but I can see my name.”