Four-Star Prospect Malachi Moreno Decommits from Kentucky, Chooses Arkansas
Georgetown, KY — In a surprising turn of events, four-star recruit Malachi Moreno has withdrawn his commitment to Mark Pope and the University of Kentucky, opting instead to join John Calipari at Arkansas to play for the Razorbacks men’s basketball team.
Moreno, a highly-touted prospect from Great Crossing High School in Georgetown, initially committed to Kentucky earlier this year in a highly publicized announcement that saw him unveil a UK T-shirt in front of a crowd of students, family, and media. His decision to stay close to home and play for the Wildcats was seen as a significant win for Coach Mark Pope, who is in the process of building his first true recruiting class following the departure of Calipari to Arkansas.
However, Moreno has now had a change of heart, deciding to follow the former Kentucky head coach to Fayetteville.
This decision marks a major shift in the recruiting landscape for both Kentucky and Arkansas, as Moreno’s size, skill set, and potential make him one of the most sought-after big men in the country.
“After careful consideration, I have decided to decommit from the University of Kentucky and will be taking my talents to the University of Arkansas to play for Coach Calipari and the Razorbacks,” Moreno said in a brief statement. “I am grateful for the opportunity and support from Coach Pope and the Kentucky program, but I believe this is the best decision for my future.”
Standing at 6-foot-11 and weighing around 230 pounds, Moreno was a centerpiece of Pope’s recruiting efforts. His decommitment is a significant loss for the Wildcats as they continue to build their roster for the upcoming seasons.
For Arkansas, Moreno’s decision is a major victory, further solidifying Calipari’s ability to attract top-tier talent to his new program.
Calipari, who led Kentucky to numerous championships during his tenure, is now tasked with rebuilding the Razorbacks into a national contender, and the addition of Moreno is a crucial step in that direction.
As the dust settles from this recruiting shakeup, Kentucky will need to refocus its efforts on securing other top prospects to fill the void left by Moreno’s departure. Meanwhile, Arkansas fans are celebrating the acquisition of one of the nation’s most promising young players, eager to see how he will contribute to the Razorbacks’ success in the coming years.
