Excitement is building for Kentucky basketball as the Wildcats secure their first commitment for the 2025 class. On Friday, four-star recruit Malachi Moreno chose Kentucky over top contenders Indiana, Ohio State, and North Carolina, among others.
Moreno, a standout center from Great Crossing High School in Georgetown, Kentucky, made his announcement during a ceremony streamed by 247 Sports. Ranked as the No. 1 player in Kentucky by On3 and 21st nationally, Moreno is highly regarded as a key prospect for the Wildcats. His rankings vary slightly across platforms—25th by 247 Sports, 36th by ESPN, and 22nd by Rivals—but his status as the top recruit of Mark Pope’s tenure at Kentucky remains clear.
Though Kentucky was Moreno’s dream school, his recruitment was fiercely contested. At one point, the Indiana Hoosiers were seen as the frontrunners. However, Kentucky’s strong finish in the recruitment process secured Moreno’s commitment.
When Mark Pope took over as Kentucky’s head coach in April, Moreno became a priority. Pope and his staff maintained frequent communication with Moreno, arranging multiple unofficial visits to campus and practice sessions, which played a significant role in Moreno’s decision.
Pope had emphasized the importance of recruiting in-state talent during his introductory press conference. “These young men that grow up in Kentucky bring a spirit to the team that cannot be fabricated or replaced,” Pope said. “It helps us to win, and we will continue to recruit them.” Pope’s commitment to this approach is evident in the addition of two talented in-state freshmen this season and now, Moreno for the next.
Moreno, standing at 7 feet tall and weighing 230 pounds with a 7-foot-1 wingspan, is a classic center known for his strong post presence and rebounding skills. Although he needs to develop his outside shooting, Moreno’s versatility is notable. He excels in transition, offensive spacing, and post scoring. Defensively, while he struggles with perimeter defense, his size and physicality make him a formidable presence in the paint, where he averages 2.1 blocks per game.
Pope values Moreno’s ability to facilitate offense from the high post, using handoffs and creating opportunities for teammates. Moreno’s rebounding prowess, evidenced by his 8.4 rebounds per game on the 3SSB circuit, highlights his potential impact on both ends of the floor.
Moreno’s commitment marks the beginning of what Kentucky hopes will be a successful 2025 recruiting class. The Wildcats are also pursuing other top prospects, including Jasper Johnson, who is expected to decide between Alabama and Kentucky at the end of the month. Another key target, Braylon Mullins, an elite shooter and AAU teammate of Moreno’s, could also join the class.
Check out some highlights of Malachi Moreno in action as he prepares to join the Wildcats!
