7-footer Malachi Moreno, top-25 overall recruit, stays home and chooses Kentucky

Malachi Moreno, the No. 1 ranked center in the On3 Industry Rankings, will stay home for college and has committed to the Kentucky Wildcats, he told On3.

The 7-foot rising senior out of Georgetown (Ky.) Great Crossing is the top-ranked player in the state of Kentucky for the 2025 class. He chose to play for Mark Pope over the likes of Indiana, Ohio State, North Carolina, and others.

Moreno, the No. 25 overall recruit in the nation, becomes the first commitment in Kentucky’s 2025 recruiting class. The Wildcats are still pursuing five-star guard and Lexington native, Jasper Johnson, who will likely be making his commitment later this month between UK, Alabama, and North Carolina.

Malachi Moreno went in-depth on his decision to choose his hometown Kentucky Wildcats with On3.

Moreno on his commitment to Kentucky

“Ultimately I chose Kentucky because ever since coach Pope got the job, there has been constant communication from everyone on the staff,” he said. “They keep the main thing, the main thing which is faith. It isn’t a very one-sided coaching staff. Everyone has their own opinion and everyone contributes. It’s a really nice family environment over there.”

Being a Kentucky native, UK was Moreno’s dream school. He described what it’s like for him to now be committed to that program.

“It’s the best feeling in the world. Being a Kentucky kid and growing up watching the success they had made me want to go there even more.”

In his own words, what type of player is Kentucky getting in Moreno?

“I would describe my game as a stretch-five. I can pass, shoot, and dribble the ball. I would probably compare myself to Anthony Davis or Karl Anthony-Towns. Those are some of the guys I try to model my game after over the last couple of years.”

Moreno has a message for UK fans.

“Just know that I’m not coming to lose, I’m coming to win. You’re going to get 110% effort, no matter what.”

Scouting Report

“The first thing that pops with Malachi Moreno is his size. He is a legit 7-footer with good length and a projectable frame. The athletic fluidity is intriguing with Moreno. He runs the floor well and he is able to open his hips and change direction. Moreno is a good area rebounder. Will get in the paint and mix it up an attack the boards with two hands. He finishes around the basket with both hands and above the rim. He has a go-to move over his left shoulder and is comfortable getting to that on the block. Like to see him continue developing the counters. Defensively he is a solid rim protector and he walls up well, staying under control in the paint. He has touch and can stretch the floor, will need to make a couple of tweaks with his release that flatten things out, will help become a better free throw shooter as well. He has nice upside as a big man and he has continued to improve each time he’s stepped on the floor over the past 8-12 months. A lot that translates.” – On3’s Jamie Shaw