Paul Biancardi
Myron Medcalf
Myron Medcalf
ESPN Workers Author
Covers faculty basketball
Joined ESPN.com in 2011
Graduate of Minnesota State College, Mankato
Kentucky coach Mark Pope secured a prime expertise — and in-state standout — on Friday when Malachi Moreno, a four-star heart within the 2025 class, introduced his dedication to the Wildcats.
Moreno, a Georgetown, Kentucky, native and the No. 36 recruit in his class per ESPN, is the primary dedication within the 2025 class for the brand new Kentucky head coach, who left BYU to switch John Calipari in April.
A talented 7-footer, Moreno is likely one of the few true facilities within the class, as extra huge males covet the “positionless” label. However he isn’t the one goal for Pope.
5-star prospect Jasper Johnson, a 6-4 guard from Lexington, is atop that listing, which additionally contains Tounde Yessoufou, Chris Cenac Jr. and Braylon Mullins, who performs with Moreno on Indiana Elite.
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Moreno is finest recognized for his scoring on each blocks together with his again to the basket, and for blocking photographs. The timing on his blocks is spectacular; he instinctively waits till the offensive participant releases the ball. He’s devoted to rebounding, and he does an excellent job of rebounding the ball excessive and maintaining it excessive for putbacks. He additionally possesses passing imaginative and prescient going through the basket, so he can function on the perimeter as a high-low passer, as a screener and in dribble-handoffs. He additionally reveals loads of basketball IQ to execute within the half court docket as he’s well-versed in slipping screens. As he develops a powerful basis of purposeful energy, he’ll play with a decrease base and never get moved round so simply. There’s nonetheless room from enchancment together with his taking pictures, however he has contact.
Moreno made the announcement at Nice Crossing Excessive College in Georgetown in entrance of a packed crowd.
“There shall be 1,800 college students in our fitness center for this announcement,” Moreno instructed ESPN. “It is thrilling.”
Pope, a former heart who helped Kentucky win the 1996 nationwide title earlier than he spent a decade within the NBA, is understood for a method that also incorporates huge males as vital gamers on offense. That actuality impacted Moreno’s resolution.
“I selected Kentucky due to Coach Pope’s enjoying type,” Moreno mentioned. “He likes to play by means of their huge males and permits them to go. That is a giant a part of my recreation. Because the day the brand new employees obtained the job, they’ve been very constant in recruiting me. Coach Pope gained a nationwide title right here as participant, so he is aware of what it takes to be nice at Kentucky. I obtained a suggestion from [Calipari] and needed to begin over with Coach Pope. I needed to earn my scholarship twice.”
Moreno additionally mentioned Kentucky’s legacy of growing huge males, together with a number of NBA stars, additionally influenced his remaining resolution.
“Kentucky’s campus is gorgeous,” he mentioned. “There aren’t any higher followers. Rising up I dreamed of enjoying there. I watched their huge males. Nerlens Noel, Willie Cauley-Stein, Anthony Davis and Nick Richards. I plan on learning training and being a trainer sometime. My lecturers have helped me a lot over time. I wish to do this for the following era.”
Jeff Borzello contributed to this report.
