Completed Event: Women's Basketball at Eastern Kentucky on March 19, 2026 , Loss , 58, to, 72
Final Score
Women's Basketball
58
at Eastern Kentucky
72
The University of Utah Athletics
Kiana Moore: Growing Up Military
11/11/2018 8:50 AM | Women's Basketball
By Mady White
Athletics Communications Intern
Growing up in a military family can present many challenges and can be very difficult at times, but Utah women's basketball guard Kiana Moore chose to take the challenges head on and use the lessons she learned from her parents in the military to make her the person she is today.Â
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Moore grew up having both her mother Kim, and father, Jerry, a part of the United States military. Her father specifically was active duty for the Air Force for most of her childhood and early adolescence before getting a job at a missile defense agency following his service in the Air Force.Â
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"It was very hard growing up in a military family at times," Moore said. "I didn't see my dad a lot because he was still active duty and my mom worked mainly on the weekends, so I wasn't able to have her around on the weekends. Not seeing my dad everyday was very hard. It really affected me because I got a lot closer to my mom and am still really close with her, but I still definitely respect my dad and all that he has done for me."
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Moore continued, "My dad had to move everywhere so it was really hard to be with him. He was kind of like a 'vacation dad' so I would only see him during the summers. When I was in eighth grade, he moved to Alaska so I was able to go up there with him. Being in that strict environment, he really helped me push forward into high school and then into college."
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The Fairfield, California native was a standout during her high school career at Vanden High School, where she earned the All-Solano County Athletic Conference Co-MVP during her senior year. The four-year letterwinner grabbed the attention of the Utes with her quick speed and explosiveness and Moore went on to find her new home for the next four years.
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"When I stepped onto campus, I immediately felt the family-like culture," Moore stated. "My teammates were outstanding, the facilities are better than anywhere else in the country, and we get a tremendous amount of help for academics. We also get a lot of fans and there are a lot of loyal fans that really respect us and come to all of our events."
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The transition from high school to college basketball is demanding both on and off the court for newcomers. However, Moore uses the same mentality that her parents used while being in the military. Moore knew the life transition wouldn't come easy, but if she followed her instincts and did what she grew up learning, then everything would fall into place.Â
Â
"If you grow up a military kid, you learn that you have to be really respectful around other people," Moore explained. "That's what has helped me on the court because if the coach says something that you don't agree with you just have to say okay and respect their decision. Also, just going as hard as you can is important because the military goes hard for us every day. They protect our country, so doing the little things like playing basketball hard and giving 110 percent all the time is what fuels me knowing that my mom and dad fought for our country. If I give 110 percent through everything, I feel like I am giving back to them in a way."
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Playing as hard as she can is seen as soon as any fan watches a Utah women's basketball game. Moore is extremely competitive, the team's most explosive athlete, and has a passion for the game that is undeniable. Now a junior in the program, Moore has been able to make an impact to the team during her first two years, but knows she is ready to take on more.
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"My freshman and sophomore years I was kind of timid and thought I had to stay behind the older girls because I didn't want to step on anyone's toes," Moore said. "Now there are newcomers and I am able to show them the ropes and the way our program is set and where we want to be. I improved my shooting a lot and also improved at making smart decisions on the court. I slowed down, looked at my shot and options, and now everything is starting to come together."
Â
With the season underway, Moore is not concerned about much other than enjoying the moment. Sometimes it is hard not to get caught up in outside noise, what other teams around the country are doing, or what might happen down the road. Moore has her eyes sight on right now and the hard work ethic and discipline her parents passed down onto her continue to push her to be the best athlete and person she can be.
Â
"I am not looking far into the future because I am taking it day-by-day," Moore said. "I am really just looking forward to playing with my teammates, improving every day, and seeing where my team can go because it's not all about me. Just like how the military is a team, so are we and we need to work together to have success."
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Athletics Communications Intern
Growing up in a military family can present many challenges and can be very difficult at times, but Utah women's basketball guard Kiana Moore chose to take the challenges head on and use the lessons she learned from her parents in the military to make her the person she is today.Â
Â
Moore grew up having both her mother Kim, and father, Jerry, a part of the United States military. Her father specifically was active duty for the Air Force for most of her childhood and early adolescence before getting a job at a missile defense agency following his service in the Air Force.Â
Â
Â
"It was very hard growing up in a military family at times," Moore said. "I didn't see my dad a lot because he was still active duty and my mom worked mainly on the weekends, so I wasn't able to have her around on the weekends. Not seeing my dad everyday was very hard. It really affected me because I got a lot closer to my mom and am still really close with her, but I still definitely respect my dad and all that he has done for me."
Â
Moore continued, "My dad had to move everywhere so it was really hard to be with him. He was kind of like a 'vacation dad' so I would only see him during the summers. When I was in eighth grade, he moved to Alaska so I was able to go up there with him. Being in that strict environment, he really helped me push forward into high school and then into college."
Â
The Fairfield, California native was a standout during her high school career at Vanden High School, where she earned the All-Solano County Athletic Conference Co-MVP during her senior year. The four-year letterwinner grabbed the attention of the Utes with her quick speed and explosiveness and Moore went on to find her new home for the next four years.
Â
"When I stepped onto campus, I immediately felt the family-like culture," Moore stated. "My teammates were outstanding, the facilities are better than anywhere else in the country, and we get a tremendous amount of help for academics. We also get a lot of fans and there are a lot of loyal fans that really respect us and come to all of our events."
Â
The transition from high school to college basketball is demanding both on and off the court for newcomers. However, Moore uses the same mentality that her parents used while being in the military. Moore knew the life transition wouldn't come easy, but if she followed her instincts and did what she grew up learning, then everything would fall into place.Â
Â
"If you grow up a military kid, you learn that you have to be really respectful around other people," Moore explained. "That's what has helped me on the court because if the coach says something that you don't agree with you just have to say okay and respect their decision. Also, just going as hard as you can is important because the military goes hard for us every day. They protect our country, so doing the little things like playing basketball hard and giving 110 percent all the time is what fuels me knowing that my mom and dad fought for our country. If I give 110 percent through everything, I feel like I am giving back to them in a way."
Â
Playing as hard as she can is seen as soon as any fan watches a Utah women's basketball game. Moore is extremely competitive, the team's most explosive athlete, and has a passion for the game that is undeniable. Now a junior in the program, Moore has been able to make an impact to the team during her first two years, but knows she is ready to take on more.
Â
"My freshman and sophomore years I was kind of timid and thought I had to stay behind the older girls because I didn't want to step on anyone's toes," Moore said. "Now there are newcomers and I am able to show them the ropes and the way our program is set and where we want to be. I improved my shooting a lot and also improved at making smart decisions on the court. I slowed down, looked at my shot and options, and now everything is starting to come together."
Â
With the season underway, Moore is not concerned about much other than enjoying the moment. Sometimes it is hard not to get caught up in outside noise, what other teams around the country are doing, or what might happen down the road. Moore has her eyes sight on right now and the hard work ethic and discipline her parents passed down onto her continue to push her to be the best athlete and person she can be.
Â
"I am not looking far into the future because I am taking it day-by-day," Moore said. "I am really just looking forward to playing with my teammates, improving every day, and seeing where my team can go because it's not all about me. Just like how the military is a team, so are we and we need to work together to have success."
Â
Players Mentioned
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