Former Nansemond River High School hoops standout Ashton Moore has officially earned the privilege to play basketball for a living.

The recent graduate and basketball star of The Citadel has signed to play professionally for a team called BC Beroe in Bulgaria.

“It means the world to me just to know where I started from,” Moore said. “It’s like a dream come true that I’m able to do it and while I’m also exploring the world and different coaches and just to being able to meet new people. It’s a great accomplishment.”

Moore and his agent sorted through various interested teams, from places like Germany, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Iceland.

They believed BC Beroe represented the best opportunity.

“I feel like they wanted me, and then just the role I would have coming in and also being that they’re a (BFB) Cup team playing in the Balkan League, it’s pretty good, and it brings about a lot of exposure,” Moore said.

Being a BFB Cup team means BC Beroe will play in other countries aside from Bulgaria, including Greece and Romania.

Nansemond River coach Ed Young makes a habit of telling his players who go pro what a key focus for them should be right away.

“When you get that first contract, you’re trying to play for your next contract,” he said, noting Moore has put himself in a good position to make that happen if he pairs it with good play.

Moore will be Young’s seventh former player to play overseas and his fourth former Nansemond River player to do so.

“I had this feeling based on the senior year that he had at Citadel that he could have a good chance to play professionally, even though his size is not conducive for strong demand overseas,” Young said.

Moore led the Bulldogs in 13 major statistical categories this past season, including points (541) and points per game (18.0). He also was No. 1 on the team in minutes played (1,129), assists (109), steals (29), field goals made (173), three-point field goals made (79) and free throws made (116).

He raked in a slew of awards for his senior campaign, including making second-team All-SoCon by College Sports Madness, College Sports Information Directors of America Academic All-District team, second-team National Association of Basketball Coaches District 22 and All-Southern Conference by both the media, as a first team honoree, and coaches.

Moore also earned a nomination for SoCon Male Athlete of the Year, and he was a top 30 finalist for the senior Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School award.

His college career total of 1,399 points ties him for sixth-most in the history of the program at The Citadel, while his 321 career assists is placed seventh all-time.

Playing basketball professionally has been a dream of Moore’s since his high school years.

“First I wanted to be on the high school team, and then I wanted to be one of the top scorers, and then I wanted to make it to a Division I program for basketball, and then I wanted to do really well and excel to have the opportunity to play professionally,” he said. “And it seemed it all worked out according to God’s plan for me.”

Moore’s role at BC Beroe will be similar to the one he had in college.

“They plan to use me as a scoring point guard who can create offense,” he said.

He has been preparing for his pro start by returning to Nansemond River and The Citadel to work out.

Moore leaves for Bulgaria Aug. 24. His first regular-season game will be the first week of October.