Mark Pope and the Kentucky Wildcats kicked off the weekend with a big win on the recruiting trail as 4-star prospect Malachi Moreno committed to the program. The in-state standout chose Kentucky over Indiana, Ohio State, North Carolina, and others during a ceremony at Great Crossing High School in Georgetown, Kentucky, which was streamed by 247 Sports.
Moreno, the top-ranked player in Kentucky for the class of 2025, is highly regarded across major recruiting platforms, ranking 21st overall and second among centers at On3, 25th at 247 Sports, 36th at ESPN, and 22nd at Rivals. His commitment marks the highest-rated recruit that Pope has secured as a coach.
Though Kentucky was Moreno’s dream school, the recruitment battle wasn’t always in the Wildcats’ favor. Indiana was considered the frontrunner as recently as July before Kentucky made a strong push to secure his commitment.
Moreno, a 7-foot, 230-pound center with a 7-foot-1 wingspan, quickly became a priority for Pope after he took over as Kentucky’s head coach in April. The coaching staff maintained consistent communication, brought Moreno in for multiple unofficial visits, and ultimately earned his commitment.
Pope has emphasized the importance of recruiting in-state talent, a sentiment he shared during his introductory press conference. “These young men that grow up in Kentucky, they bring a spirit to the team that cannot be fabricated or replaced. And it helps us to win, and we will continue to recruit them,” Pope said.
In choosing Kentucky, Moreno sought a place where he could grow his faith, develop as a player and person, and be part of a family-like environment, which he found in the Wildcats.
Moreno is considered a true center with a versatile skill set. While he needs to become a more consistent shooter, he excels in running the floor, understanding offensive spacing, and scoring in transition and off cuts. He has the strength and footwork to score in the post and is a valuable facilitator from the high post.
Defensively, Moreno’s size makes him a solid rim protector, although he is more effective when anchored in the paint. He projects as a drop-coverage pick-and-roll defender but can struggle with mobility on the perimeter. Despite these challenges, he has shown defensive growth and is a strong rebounder, averaging 8.4 rebounds per game on the 3SSB circuit.
Moreno is Kentucky’s first commit of the 2025 class, and the Wildcats are eyeing additional targets to bolster the class. Jasper Johnson, who will choose between Alabama and Kentucky, is set to announce his decision at the end of the month, and Braylon Mullins, one of the top shooters in the country and Moreno’s AAU teammate, is another key target.
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