Andrew Moten and his former University of Florida teammate Vernon Maxwell were inducted into the Gators Athletic Hall of Fame last weekend, closing a chapter that began on a basketball court in Quincy, Florida, more than four decades ago. The two, known as the “M&M Boys,” also took part in the homecoming football game against South Carolina, serving as honorary “Mr. Two Bits.”
Moten, 60, finished his college career with 1,930 points, ranking fourth on Florida’s all-time scoring list. He played from 1983 to 1987 and helped the Gators reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history in 1987. Despite playing only one season with the three-point line in place, Moten averaged 15.4 points per game over 125 appearances. His scoring prowess was evident early when he earned SEC Freshman of the Year honors in 1984, averaging 11.9 points per game. He was a three-time All-SEC honoree and made the 1985 All-SEC Tournament Team.
Before Moten’s college success, Ricky Bell, then head football coach at Leon High, saw him dominate in a physical education class at Quincy Shanks High. Bell had intentionally paired Moten with less-skilled classmates to try to slow him down, but Moten won every time. “Nobody could beat him,” Bell said. He described Moten as “respectful, quiet and a great basketball player,” traits that carried through his career.
Moten’s impact at Florida went beyond points. He ranks fourth in field goals made (711), fifth in games started (124), seventh in minutes played (3,930) and free throws made (447), and tenth in assists (411). He is one of only three Gators to score over 1,300 career points in SEC play, finishing with 1,306.
After college, Moten played professionally overseas for 15 seasons. He eventually returned to the U.S. to complete his degree online and began coaching high school basketball in his hometown. His coaching career reached a peak in 2017 when he led West Gadsden High to the Class 1A state championship.
Jamal Holt worked alongside Moten for over a decade, from West Gadsden to Gadsden County High. Holt said Moten’s willingness to hold himself to the same standards he set for his players was a cornerstone of his coaching style. “If practice started at 3 p.m., Moten might arrive at 2 or 2:15 to make sure everything was ready,” Holt said.
Moten’s teams faced tough regular-season schedules designed to prepare them for the postseason, with a strong emphasis on defense. Holt said Moten’s greatest strength was his ability to convince players they belonged. “He never let kids feel like they couldn’t compete or they couldn’t beat them,” Holt said. “It didn’t matter whether a player was a starter, the last player off the bench or still developing at the middle school or junior varsity level. He treated everybody the same with respect.”
Moten remains employed by the Gadsden County school system, continuing his involvement in the community where his basketball journey began. When asked about his Hall of Fame induction, Moten told Florida Gators.com, “I believe in timing. The timing for this was right.”
According to Yahoo Sports.