In-State Recruit Malachi Moreno Commits to KENTUCKY

[George]

In-state recruit Malachi Moreno, a top-25 player and the third-ranked C in his class, today committed to the University of Kentucky in a press conference at his high school. Moreno is Coach Pope's first high school pledge at UK, and Moreno's early commitment may help build some momentum in Pope's first true recruiting cycle at Kentucky.

Moreno is a nice fit for Pope's system, and many evaluators believe he is underrated and could earn a fifth star before his class's final rankings are released.

Above all, Pope was able to land one of the best homegrown players the state has seen in quite some time, which is huge for a number of reasons.

Big get, and we now turn our attention to Jasper Johnson.

[KentuckyWild2020]

Tells Jasper, "you know where home is"

[DA#23]

Very nice start to the class!

[DA#23]

[justford]

His message to JJ may be all it took to get JJ here.

[George]

For those wondering, Pope seems to be targeting a class of Johnson, Moreno, Mullins, and Yesouffou.

It’s currently UK and Bama for Johnson, UK, IU, and UCONN for Mullins, and UK and TENN for Yesouffou.

Would be a heck of a first class.

[Lighthouse]

If they're all Super Freshmen, I'm leery.

[Matt Dillon]

If they're all Super Freshmen, I'm leery.

Not to worry, my friend. Coach Pope would know what to do with them.

[Lighthouse]

Not to worry, my friend. Coach Pope would know what to do with them.

I'm learning to trust Coach Pope, but having 5 Super Freshmen sounds a little familiar.

[Catsrock]

I'm learning to trust Coach Pope, but having 5 Super Freshmen sounds a little familiar.

Just depends on their expectations/plans for their college career. If you sign 5 and they’re all bound and determined to be gone after one year…no thanks. If one or 2 have that mentality but the rest are willing to stay and develop while earning some pretty nice NIL…bring it on. Hopefully at least some in state talent will enjoy some time becoming a state legend.

[Lighthouse]

Just depends on their expectations/plans for their college career. If you sign 5 and they’re all bound and determined to be gone after one year…no thanks. If one or 2 have that mentality but the rest are willing to stay and develop while earning some pretty nice NIL…bring it on. Hopefully at least some in state talent will enjoy some time becoming a state legend.

Well said. This sounds more like Pope.