Malachi Moreno calls Jasper Johnson 'one of the best players in the country'

Malachi Moreno started recruiting Lexington native Jasper Johnson the second he committed to Kentucky, pushing to keep the fellow in-state standout home just as he did.

The No. 1 overall center called out Johnson in his press conference, telling the five-star guard, ‘You know where home is, Jasper.” He followed that up by saying it was a lifelong dream for both of them to wear Kentucky across their chests as Wildcats.

“I’m just constantly telling him, ‘There’s no place like home. Like, BBN loves us and we can say we got to wear Kentucky across our chest. It’s a dream we’ve both had since we were little kids,'” Moreno told KSR at the time.

Fast forward a few short weeks later and Johnson has decided to do the same, teaming up with Moreno in blue and white next season at Kentucky.

Moreno is ‘a force’ in the post

The Lexington native talked about his longtime friend from Georgetown shortly after his commitment, calling Moreno’s addition “definitely a plus, for sure” when it came to his own decision. It wasn’t the ultimate factor, but it was one of many that helped make Kentucky feel like home.

“I know how good he is and how much of a force he is down low. Adding him to the team and to our roster for next year is a good thing,” Johnson said. “… I’ve seen him grow up since we was young little kids and develop. Seeing him commit, I was definitely happy for him, but I’m just happy we started off the roster. We’re gonna get started next year.”

A full-circle moment for the in-state recruits

We know about the before for Moreno and the after for Johnson, but what about the former’s thoughts following the latter’s commitment? The 7-foot center feels it’s a full-circle moment for the Kentuckians who grew up just a few miles down the street from one another.

After watching each other grow up and talk about teaming up in high school and AAU, they finally get to play together in college as Wildcats.

“Being able to play with Jasper, it’s something we’ve always talked about,” Moreno told KSR on the Sources Say Podcast this week. “I remember when he would try to recruit me to Link Academy or Team Thad when we’d be doing things. I’d say, ‘You can come play with Indiana Elite!’ Now it’s actually going to be a possibility.”

Johnson is ‘one of the best players in the country’

What is Kentucky getting in the five-star guard? He’s the No. 12 overall prospect in the nation for a reason. There simply aren’t many shot-makers like Jasper Johnson in high school basketball.

Moreno is excited to finally team up with a talent of that caliber for his hometown team.

“We know what he’s capable of, he’s one of the best players in the country,” he said. “I mean, he’s an all-out dog. That’s all I can say about him. He gets work done.”

It’s rare to get a single top-25 prospect out of Kentucky, let alone two in the same class. That happened to be the case for Mark Pope, fortunately in his first full recruiting cycle as the head coach in Lexington.

Not bad timing, right?

Moreno is also ‘KY ’til I die’

Pope has talked extensively about prioritizing in-state talent because they understand what it means to suit up in the blue and white, starting with Travis Perry and Trent Noah this upcoming season, followed by Moreno and Johnson next year. And he’s even got a head start going into 2026, extending an offer to Newport native and four-star junior Tay Kinney this summer.

The movement to keep local talent home ramped up with Reed Sheppard and it’s only gotten stronger since, not expected to slow down anytime soon. Embracing home appears to be the program’s motto going forward under Mark Pope — highlighted by his ‘KY Til I Die’ t-shirt on SEC Nation this past weekend, a catchphrase started by Johnson following his commitment.

“Being from Lexington, Kentucky, I feel like that was an easy decision right there,” he said. “I feel like I’m KY ’til I die.“

“It’s the Kentucky way,” Pope said on national television Saturday. “We’re really fortunate. Right now we’re recruiting guys who understand Kentucky and want to wear this jersey and know what KY ’til I die means and it’s pretty cool man. … That’s why we’re Kentucky ’til we die!”

Moreno’s take? He’s all in on the new slogan, as well.

“There’s no other way to put it,” he said. “It’s KY ’til I die.”