Mark Pope and Kentucky have secured a commitment from four-star Georgetown native Malachi Moreno.
Mark Pope and the Kentucky Wildcats secured a significant victory on the recruiting front Friday morning when Kentucky native Malachi Moreno announced his commitment.
Originally from Great Crossing High School in Georgetown, Moreno was rated a four-star prospect by 247Sports.
During an open event in the GCHS gymnasium, attended by students, family, and media, Moreno invited his teammates to join him as he unzipped his jacket to reveal a University of Kentucky T-shirt.
“I will be taking my talents to the University of Kentucky,” Moreno announced as the UK fight song played in the background. “There’s no place like home.”
The standout Warhawk big man had garnered interest from several top programs across the nation, including Arkansas, led by former Kentucky head coach John Calipari, Indiana, North Carolina, and Ohio State. However, Moreno chose to stay close to home and join Coach Pope in Lexington.
Standing at 6-foot-11 and weighing around 230 pounds, Moreno received high praise from 247Sports’ Director of Scouting, Adam Finkelstein, who noted, “Moreno has game-changing size in the lane and a strong skill set for a true center. He’s not just one of the top big men in the country, but also someone who can seamlessly fit into various offensive schemes.”
Moreno’s commitment marks a significant win for Coach Pope, who is working to secure his first true recruiting class in Kentucky blue after taking over the program when Calipari departed for Arkansas. Pope’s initial UK roster largely comprised transfers, making Moreno’s addition particularly crucial.
Pope continues to pursue other high-profile recruits like Jasper Johnson, Chris Cenac, and Eric Reibe, and Moreno’s commitment could play a pivotal role in attracting more top talent to the program.
“You know where home’s at, Jasper,” Moreno remarked after making his decision.
