Alier Maluk planning Kentucky visit, intrigued by blue-blood opportunity

Kentucky has been keeping a close eye on 2025 four-star forward Alier Maluk for well over a year, intrigued by his defensive versatility and growing skill on the other end. The clearest sign of the Wildcats’ interest in the native of Kenya, now in Pittsburgh? Orlando Antigua’s trip to see him play in the PIAA state championship game back in March, a matchup in which Maluk went for 20 points, 12 rebounds and three assists in a win.

There’s clearly a lot to work with, and that was shown in the opening weekend of the Nike EYBL circuit, averaging 11.8 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 22.8 minutes per contest for Team Durant (16U). It was an appearance he was proud of, showing off his impressive size and length — he is listed at 6-foot-11 and says doctors expect him to reach 7-foot-1 in the not-too-distant future — along with his development in overall skill.

“I’m a very versatile player,” Maluk said in Atlanta this past weekend. “I can play within the game, and I’m a team player.”

The four-star forward came from a refugee camp with his parents when he was three, ultimately ending up in Pittsburgh. He’s been playing basketball ever since, essentially 13 years of continued growth on the floor to get to this point.

Now, he’s a high-profile recruit ranked No. 21 overall and No. 4 among power forwards in the On3 Industry Ranking, a proprietary algorithm that compiles ratings and rankings from all four primary recruiting media services. He boasts a nice frame with fluid mobility, a knack for rebounding and defending. Maluk is expanding his game as a capable mid-range jump shooter with touch around the basket.

And as his bag of tools has grown, so has his recruitment. Pittsburgh, West Virginia, Ohio State, NC State, Seton Hall, Oregon, Texas A&M, Auburn and LSU have all offered. Pitt, OSU and WVU have all received visits. He’s in the process of scheduling a trip to Eugene to see what the Ducks have to offer, as well.

Then there’s Kentucky, a program he also says he’ll be visiting in the near future: “I will be down there at some time.”

Conversations with Antigua have been productive, with the assistant coach telling Maluk he plays hard and is a good defender. Does he get the vibe an offer is coming?

“Yes, as long as I keep playing hard,” he said.

What does he like about the Wildcats, a historic program led by a Hall of Fame coach in John Calipari? Well, that.

“They are a blue-blooded school. Coach Cal has made a lot of history with his NBA talent in college,” Maluk said. “One of the best coaches arguably of all-time.”

One of his favorite players is Terrence Clarke, who tragically passed away back in 2021 — two years to the week. He also likes what he sees with the program’s top-ranked recruiting class in 2023, led by Justin Edwards, DJ Wagner, Aaron Bradshaw, Rob Dillingham, and Reed Sheppard. 

“They’re loaded in the 2023 class. … I want to see how good they’re going to be in the future,” he previously told KSR+. “I feel like I’d be an anchor on defense with them. … They’re telling me I could potentially be like AD [Anthony Davis] with them.”

Until then, he’s “focusing on my body and studying the game.” That’s when he saw things really take off with his production and growth. Building on that will be a priority moving forward.

He’s earned Kentucky’s attention and physical presence sitting courtside at his games. Now it’s about scoring an offer.