The Zaelinh Nguyen-Moore Interview (Altoona, PA)

November 26, 2024

The Zaelinh Nguyen-Moore Interview (Altoona, PA)

ATLANTA, GA -- Zaelinh Nguyen-Moore has returned from Hollywood.

Received two scholarship offers, won another District title, kept her GPA at a 4.0 and continues to light up any room she walks in, Nguyen-Moore hasn't changed one bit from a year ago. Does she really need the RPN anymore? Absolutely not, but her character has forced her to return back to the studio for part two.

RPN Director and the first of his name, Tyreese Smith caught up with the 2026 recruit on an update with her prep career, offseason work and preparation heading junior season.

Zaelinh Nguyen-Moore Interview

Tyreese Smith: "Welcome back to the Factory, Zaelinh. Let's hop right into this. How's everything been for you?"

Zaelinh Nguyen-Moore: "Thank you for having me back. Everything has been going pretty good. The start to school has been going smooth. I got introduced to some harder classes, but I think I’m getting the hang of it. Also I’m getting prepped for the season, so I’ve been keeping very busy."

Tyreese Smith: "Since you came early to the RPN Factory, there have been a lot of changes within the network. What are some similarities, but changes that you have noticed with the brand?"

Zaelinh Nguyen-Moore: "I feel the brand has grown tremendously. With the merch coming into play and the podcast, I feel RPN has taken it to a whole new level. I just recently talked with my dad and spoke on ordering merch because of how much you support me as I'm working towards the collegiate game. I feel the podcast and merch were great additions to gain more support and grow RPN as a whole."

Tyreese Smith: "In your sophomore season, you continued to prove yourself as one of the state's premier floor generals. Surpassing over 300 rebounds and 90 assists, while earning another District title and adding on accolades within All-Defensive honors. I could yap further about all of that, but let's just get to the point *laughs*. How was your sophomore season?"

Zaelinh Nguyen-Moore: "I feel my sophomore season went well. I believe that many people view the game of basketball as a game the is heavily focused on the point system. I don’t believe that’s how the game should be viewed. I am a big believer of the things that aren’t always talked about nor on the stat sheet. I feel my season could’ve went better, for sure with having a slow start, but then eventually I started to play more like myself. That was my turning point."

Tyreese Smith: "You've experienced a lot of ball in the last two years. Playing in the highest classification, traveling the country with Sideline and meeting a lot of solid ball players along the way. From your perspective, what does PA Basketball mean to you?"

Zaelinh Nguyen-Moore: "Girls basketball has evolved over the years, and I think PA basketball is a big part of that evolution. I feel that PA girls basketball holds a lot of talent. I have faced a lot of good competition just in this region alone. Additionally, have played with many on Sideline. I feel it has helped me get better as a player."

Tyreese Smith: "Playing for Sideline Cancer, it means more. More than just basketball, but bigger than yourself at the end of the day. Seeing the rise in the program, now starting to shift into the national ranks, how has the experience been being in Sideline's program?

Zaelinh Nguyen-Moore: "Playing for sideline has been a privilege. Like you said, at the end of the day it’s bigger than basketball. I really think of my parents when I hear that. That has given me the world and for that I am extremely grateful. Sideline as a whole has transformed me into not only a better basketball player, but a better person. I wouldn’t pick another AAU program to help me get to the collegiate level."

Tyreese Smith: "Although, you only have two years of high school left, you’re still at an early stage of your career. What kinds of things are you doing to make yourself the best player you can be?"

Zaelinh Nguyen-Moore: "Everything I do right now is to prep for college, and help me to be able to compete at the next level. A lot of my workouts are based on perfecting my craft. Perfecting the things at I do on the game, while introducing new moves and enhancing skills that’ll help me thrive at the next level. Once again, I am very fortunate, as my dad trains me. He dedicates a lot of his time to me from 5 in the morning, to 10 at night. He supports my crazy schedule and I and I couldn’t thank him enough."

Tyreese Smith: "Let's talk support."

Zaelinh Nguyen-Moore: "My parents are my rocks. They do everything for me, and make it possible for me to accomplish the things that I do. I could never thank them for truly everything they do for me. With that alone I could speak on it forever. I take so much pride in calling them my parents and the best support any kid could ask for."

Tyreese Smith: "How's your college recruitment been going?"

Zaelinh Nguyen-Moore: "It’s been going well. Just recently I picked up a second Division 1 offer from Saint Francis University. Still hold an offer from Delaware, as well. I’ve been in contact with a few other colleges, but am starting to get the hang of phone calls, texts, visits, etc. I’m starting to learn the ways of recruiting a little bit better and hope to blossom my junior season."

Tyreese Smith: "What do you believe are the greatest challenges most players are facing today?"

Zaelinh Nguyen-Moore: "I believe that the toughest thing most players face, is the mental challenges of the game. I feel that a lot of players experience that mental low from time to time, and trying to get out of it is the toughest part of it all. I think that confidence and the mental challenges that come with being confident are not prioritized in today’s society and sometimes get forgotten. Then these players struggle and even more so struggle to advocate for themselves."

Tyreese Smith: "What is the outlook heading into your junior season?"

Zaelinh Nguyen-Moore: "Our outlook heading into my junior year as a team is a strong bond between players. I feel like we have grown tremendously. We are ready to make a run in states as well as shook those around us. On an individual stance I hope to evolve my junior year and play as the player I see myself as. I hope to continue my healthy journey and start preparing myself for a collegiate level of playing."

Tyreese Smith: "Close to wrapping this up, but let’s think through this question. What do you see yourself accomplishing in the next five years? Rap to me."

Zaelinh Nguyen-Moore: "Within the next five years, I hope to accomplish a lot of things. I hope that I hit the milestones that I have been dreaming of since I was a little kid. I plan to be graduated from high school, as well as graduate from my undergrad in college. I wish to be playing at a collegiate level, and have the time of my life. Figuring out who I am as a person as well as evolving as a player. After I graduated college, I hope to be well off in life, and beginning to start a future for myself. I plan to continue my route on being a neurosurgeon and hopefully my basketball career will be a steeping stone to take me there."

Tyreese Smith: "Thank you Zae for taking the time to talk with me once again. Do you have any words of encouragement or motivation for people? Any last words?"

Zaelinh Nguyen-Moore: "I don’t have much more to say, except this. Motivation wise, looking back to who I used to be, and to the young girl who always dreamed of being in the shoes I am today: Always be unapologetically you. You may go through ups and downs, and be dealing with so much stress that you can’t seem to think straight. Never stop being who you are, no matter the circumstances. Succeeded in ways that prove everyone wrong, and do it as the best version of you. Thank you as always Tyreese!"