Longhorns spotlight: Ian Mooney

For senior forward Ian Mooney, having the opportunity to play at The University of Texas has been more than a humbling experience.

However, also getting the chance to play in his hometown has been the most important aspect for the Austin native.

"You can't ask for a better situation playing at one of the best programs in the country with some of the best players and coaching staff in the country," Mooney said. "Texas is a great school and you get a chance to earn degree from a phenomenal institution. Being at home and not being away from family is awesome, and there isn't a better college experience that I can think of."

Mooney spent most of his life in Austin, attending St. Michael's Academy for high school and leading his team to the District 5A state title. Following graduation, Mooney enrolled at St. Louis University, where he walked onto the basketball team. After his sophomore year, Mooney found the opportunity to walk onto the Texas basketball team through his close friend Brad Buckman.

Mooney has learned many important life lessons through his travels to and from the city of Austin.

"I learned that hard work can get you a long way, both on the court and in the classroom," Mooney said. "If you keep doing it and believe in yourself and have people around you that believe in you, you can do almost anything. I was not really recruited at all and I ended up playing in my hometown. Playing at Texas didn't seem like something that was possible for me. I kept on working hard and I ended up back where I wanted to be."

For Mooney, having the opportunity to play on the Forty Acres has been more than a dream come true.

"I never would've thought growing up that I would be playing and competing with guys at this level," Mooney explained. "Playing and competing with guys that are in the NBA and will be going to the NBA in the future is amazing. It's going to be an honor to say later in life that I was their teammate and I was a part of this program. It's an accomplishment in and of itself and it is fun to be a part of."

Being in his hometown has made Mooney's college experience more special and memorable for him. Throughout his two years of playing for Texas, Mooney has emerged as the fan favorite among the students and is more than appreciative of the student body.

"It's been a lot more fun being here in my hometown," Mooney said. "The crowd here is amazing. The fact that they all cheer `Mooney' and yell `Moon' for me, for the minute or two that I get in, is something that I appreciate very much.

"The fact that they want me to see me do well is something that I take pride in. I know that every time I go out there is not for me. It's for the team, for what this program stands for and all the fans. That's how I have always addressed the game of basketball and that is what got me here."

As the end of his collegiate playing career looms closer for Mooney, the advertising graduate student is unsure of whether the city of Austin will be in his immediate future.

"I have no idea if I will be here in Austin," Mooney said. "I'm not necessarily locked into Austin, but I love it and I want to come back to it when I eventually am older. I'm willing to go wherever I need to be right now."

The University of Texas at Austin Athletics