In-state 4-star C Malachi Moreno hears from Kentucky head coach Mark Pope

Malachi Moreno is no stranger to the Kentucky program. The class of 2025 seven-footer made several trips to Rupp Arena this past season, just a short drive for the Georgetown (KY) Great Crossing product. Former head coach John Calipari offered the in-state center back in October and the Wildcats were perceived as one of the frontrunners ever since.

With Mark Pope now leading the Kentucky Wildcats, Moreno remains on the radar.

Moreno tells KSR that Pope reached out to him directly to express interest in recruiting the nation’s No. 20 overall high school junior (per On3). Moreno says that Pope wants to bring him back onto campus for a visit soon, adding that Pope said he’s “excited” to recruit the talented in-state prospect.

Of note, Moreno does not currently have any official visits scheduled for the summer. He’s taken just one so far, a trip to Iowa back in Oct. 2023. It could be a while before he sets more up, too. A handful of the top schools recruiting him — Kentucky, Arkansas, Louisville, and Southern California — have all recently undergone coaching changes.

Louisville’s new head coach Pat Kelsey has already personally extended Moreno an offer, which he announced on April 15. Additionally, Illinois reached out with an offer on April 27. Tagged in Moreno’s social media post about the Fighting Illini? Former Kentucky assistant coach Orlando Antigua, who recruited Moreno when he was still an assistant in Lexington.

Cincinnati, Indiana, Ohio State, Tennessee, and Notre Dame have all previously hosted Moreno for unofficial visits, as well. Auburn is also heavily in the mix with Kansas and North Carolina knocking on the door.

During his junior season at Great Crossing, Moreno helped lead the Warhawks to the Sweet 16 semifinals before falling to future Kentucky guard Travis Perry and Lyon County. The Lyons would go on to win the state tournament over Harlan County.

Across 37 games played in 2023-24 for Great Crossing, Moreno averaged 16 points and 13.3 rebounds per game on 65.7 percent shooting. He’s currently suiting up for Indiana Elite on the adidas 3SSB AAU summer circuit.