Kentucky signee Malachi Moreno talks senior season, Pope, & more
Mark Pope and his staff are off to a terrific start in the transition to Kentucky.
When arriving it was about being able to recruit and maintain the reputation built on the recruiting trail during the Calipari era.
Landing Malachi Moreno was a vital and key moment for Kentucky basketball. Landing one of the state’s top-rated recruits is a feat that left Wildcat fans hopeful for the program’s future with Mark Pope at the helm.
This one was special though. Moreno had dreams of being a Wildcat.
He grew up a Kentucky fan, but, Mark Pope had to fend off plenty of other schools to land a Top-25 prospect who yes, is a local kid, but also a kid that was heavily recruited by plenty of other top schools around the nation.
“I think I’m most excited to just wear Kentucky across my chest. Being a Kentucky kid, it’s always something you dream of,” Moreno told Stockrisers.com.
It has been a heck of a senior campaign though for the future Wildcat. His Great Crossing squad is 14-4 and Moreno is looking the part of a five-star recruit. He’s up to 21 points and 15 boards per game and was recently named to the Nike Hoop Summit team.
“I’m truly blessed to be allowed by USA Basketball to represent my country,” Moreno said.
Moreno will be joined at Kentucky by two of 2025’s top-ranked guards Jasper Johnson and Acaden Lewis. Both of whom are rated as five-star recruits by multiple media outlets.
Moreno had high praise for his future classmates.
“This is going to be a really good class. We have the best backcourt in the country in Acaden and Jasper. Two killer-minded left-handed guards that have been easy to play with. We have targeted others and we just hope it pans itself out,” he said.
The class built by Mark Pope is a good one. To nab three guys rated in the Top-25 of a class isn’t easy to do just months into a new job. Pope has been a coach that players love to play for and he’s quickly earned the respect of a fanbase he played for but is now spearheading.
Moreno said that Pope has kept a close eye on how he’s been playing during his senior year and has given him advice before he becomes a Wildcat.
“[He told me] just to be a gym rat. To keep working hard and have fun while playing this game.”
The word fun mentioned by Pope is the exact word Moreno used to describe his relationship with his future head coach while also noting that the relationship just continues to grow and that it’s always a blast being around him.
Moreno has goals to win a State Championship in his final year at Great Crossing. He mentioned to Stockrisers.com that his overall skill has improved throughout his senior season. Noting he’s getting better every day and has also become more vocal as a leader and has his sights set on bringing that title to Great Crossing.
Lastly, Moreno has achieved a goal of playing for Nike Hoop Summit’s USA squad and he would also like to become a McDonald’s All-American.