Before he ever stepped onto the court at Davenport Central High School, Daxton Moore was already fighting.
“I came out of my mom’s womb and the doctor pulled it the wrong way and I severed my collar bone… it’s called Brachial Plexus,” Moore said. “I don’t have a shoulder and had many surgeries.”
Fourteen surgeries, to be exact.
Countless hours of physical therapy. A personal trainer just to build basic strength. For Moore, simply stepping onto a basketball court is a victory in itself.
“I don’t know anyone else who has to play through what he has to play through,” teammate Carter Light said. “At the level he plays at and what he does, it’s pretty cool.”
Moore has been told since he was a child what he wouldn’t be able to accomplish.
“Not going to make it far. Not going to do this, not going to do that,” Moore said. “I’m not trying to prove anyone right. I’m just trying to prove myself at the end of the day. The only person’s opinion that matters is mine.”
Despite the setbacks, surgeries, and skepticism, one constant has remained: family.
“I come from a very competitive family. Davenport Central is very oriented towards that. I’m very family oriented,” Moore said. “It’s that not-giving-up part. Just doing it for your family and yourself at the same time.”
His teammates see it too.
“Having what he has and trying to play through that at the level he’s playing at is pretty impressive,” Light said. “It’s good to have him on our team.”
There’s no bitterness in Moore’s voice when he reflects on his journey — only gratitude.
“I’m just happy. I’m just blessed,” Moore said. “I’m God-given and God doesn’t make mistakes.”
For Daxton Moore, every game isn’t about proving doubters wrong.
It’s about proving to himself that he belongs — and that perseverance is stronger than any obstacle.
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