BREAKING: Indiana Hoosier top star commits to Kentucky

Malachi Moreno has officially committed to the Kentucky Wildcats basketball program, marking head coach Mark Pope’s first pledge for the 2025 recruiting class and delivering an exciting start to the weekend.

The four-star recruit announced his decision on Friday during a ceremony held at Great Crossing High School in Georgetown, Kentucky. The event was streamed live by 247 Sports. Moreno chose Kentucky over several prominent programs, including Indiana, Ohio State, and North Carolina.

As a standout in-state talent, Moreno holds the distinction of being the top-ranked player in Kentucky for the class of 2025, according to On3, which also ranks him 21st overall and second among centers nationally. He is positioned at 25th by 247 Sports, 36th by ESPN, and 22nd by Rivals. This commitment makes Moreno the highest-ranked recruit that Pope has secured in his coaching career.

Although Kentucky was always Moreno’s dream school, they were not the frontrunners throughout his recruitment process. At one point, the Indiana Hoosiers were considered the leading candidate, even as recently as July, before Kentucky made a strong push to secure his commitment.

Recognized as one of the premier centers in the 2025 class and among the most highly regarded prospects from Kentucky in recent years, Moreno quickly became a priority for Pope upon his hiring in April. The coaching staff maintained consistent communication with Moreno, bringing him in for multiple unofficial visits to the campus and practice sessions, which ultimately led to his decision to join the Wildcats.

During his introductory press conference, Pope emphasized the importance of recruiting local talent, stating, “These young men that grow up in Kentucky, they bring a spirit to the team that cannot be fabricated or replaced. And it helps us to win, and we will continue to recruit them.” Pope has stayed true to this commitment by bringing in two talented in-state freshmen this season and now adding Moreno for the next.

When discussing what he sought in a college program, Moreno told On3 this summer, “I’m going to be looking for a place where I can grow my faith, grow as a player, grow as a person, and be in a family-type environment.” He believes he has found all these qualities at Kentucky.

Standing at 7 feet tall and weighing 230 pounds with a 7-foot-1 wingspan, Moreno is regarded as a true center. While he aims to improve his shooting consistency, he showcases versatility and a strong understanding of the game. He excels at running the floor, understands offensive spacing, and scores effectively in transition and off cuts to the basket. His strength and footwork make him a formidable presence in the post.

Coach Pope particularly admires Moreno’s ability to facilitate the offense from the high post, utilizing handoffs and identifying teammates cutting to the basket. Defensively, although he can be somewhat flat-footed on the perimeter, he compensates with physicality and a solid presence in the paint.

Adam Finkelstein of 247 Sports offers this analysis of Moreno: “While he’s not naturally mobile or bouncy, because he’s continued to develop physically and athletically, we’ve seen correlated defensive growth as well. His size makes him a real deterrent in the lane and a solid rim protector when he’s already anchored in the paint (2.1 blocks). He projects as mostly a drop-coverage pick-and-roll defender and can be flat-footed when pulled away from the basket defensively, yet has a good understanding of how to use his size to stay in plays and not give up terrible angles.”

Moreno was also among the top rebounders on the 3SSB circuit this year, averaging 8.4 per game. His size and strong hands are significant assets, and he has made clear strides in his willingness to be physical inside. However, there are still moments where he could be more assertive in securing the ball emphatically, which will be a key factor in his continued development and success.

With Moreno’s commitment, Kentucky secures its first recruit of the 2025 class and sets the stage for further additions. Several other targets are expected to make their decisions this fall, including Jasper Johnson, who will choose between Alabama and Kentucky at the end of the month, and Braylon Mullins, one of the nation’s best shooters and an AAU teammate of Moreno.

Fans can look forward to seeing Moreno’s skills on display as he joins the Wildcats. In the meantime, highlights of Kentucky’s newest commit showcase his impressive abilities on the court.