Les Nicholson Photo
Great Crossing coach Steve Page figures to see a lot of new Kentucky coach Mark Pope in the future when he recruits 7-footer Malachi Moreno.
Moreno averaged 16 points and 13.3 rebounds per game last season when Great Crossing reached the state semifinals before losing to eventual champion Lyon County. He also shot 65.7 percent from the field.
Moreno already has about 30 scholarship offers, including one that former UK coach John Calipari extended before he left for Arkansas.
Page likes what he’s seen/heard about Pope’s offense at BYU and the “positivity” he brings to the Bluegrass.
“I think that it’s kind of what we needed,” Page said. “Obviously, Calipari is a great coach, but with the way it ended bringing in a player who was a national champion at Kentucky … it just seems like Pope has kind of brought everybody back together.
“Not that another name they looked at wouldn’t have, but Pope just seems to have ignited the fan base again. I think that it’s funny when you looked at stuff initially, people were like, ‘Wow, does he have enough experience?’ But he just brought everything together so quickly, which is pretty phenomenal at Kentucky.”
So what does Moreno think about Pope?
“Obviously, Malicah wasn’t born when Pope played in ’96 (won UK’s national championship team) and I was half my age at that point,” Page laughed and said. “I really haven’t talked to Malicha about whether he knew him or not. He obviously knew the championships they had won and probably had a little bit of an idea of who played.
“Pope started for Kentucky. I know he was the captain but probably wasn’t the most instrumental player on that team. I think Malachi probably easily looked up the name and was able to put two and two together and in today’s age it probably took about five seconds to look it up on Twitter or Google or whatever it may be.”
Moreno has had a lot of college coaches reaching out to him after watching him play.
“There’s probably two programs who showed some interest here recently, North Carolina and Kansas, who hadn’t before. If they were to offer and they got in the mix, could that change (his recruiting)? He’s literally got about 30 offers already,” Page said.
“It probably would be tough for somebody to get in because he said from day one that family relationships are so important to him. You understand that Mark Pope has to build a new relationship with him.
“I think the name Kentucky helps build that relationship a little bit which helps him I think a little bit. I talked with him very briefly about it the other day and he said he was impressed by the press conference and the initial things he’s heard about coach Pope had all been positive.”
36 Responses
it’s been a bit frustrating waiting for the recruiting info but in the end it will be worth the wait because i believe in mark pope because unlike the previous coach he actually is very good at x’s and o’s. the thing i don’t get is why anyone who has played for him like burks or thiero, would even consider playing for him again he underplayed both, and for the incoming frosh. like fland, and others would want to go to arkansas.
Stockholm Syndrome is powerful. Obviously nothing like that is at play, but it’s not too unusual to gravitate toward what you know and Cal is king at getting players to the NBA.
Cal has got a lot of former players that are in the NBA. However, most, if not all, would still be in the NBA. Over 92% were 4 or 5 stars when they got there.
Kudos for bringing such an absurdity to light. It’s like cal hypnotized these kids into thinking he’s the only way to the NBA someday. It’s like he’s institutionalized em so much they can’t free think as a young adult.
I’m happy he’s gone. Thanks for the few good years but man, let’s hunt championships with kids who care from now on.
We’ve seen where ex uk players loyalty never was.
Turn the page for real. Poor kids can’t. He’s guru’d too much already. I’d add a lol but it’s not really funny. They’ll follow a guy who either burys em the bench or plays em all out of position ad nauseum.
Poor kids. Swallowed the snake oil salesman’s poison, didnt they?
Williams has signed, Osobor may commit tomorrow, and Thiero is still uncommitted. Those 3 would make Pope’s first team at UK one to be reckoned with. It would be a crime for this Moreno kid to go anywhere but UK in next year’s class. I haven’t been this optimistic about the Cats since the 2015 team. Go Cats! John Who???
We need Jasper Johnson next year too.
Really need him
I hope Pope makes both Johnson and Moreno priorities in his 2025 recruiting. We need to keep the good kids here at UK, especially if they are from Lexington and Georgetown. A Kentucky team needs to have Kentucky players who are capable of contributing, and both of these kids check that box.
I am sure he will
I am excited to think Malachi might be a Kentucky Wildcat. I am formerly from Georgetown and knew the Mareno Family. I now live in Indiana, but a loyal Kentucky Wildcat fan.💙
Great to hear from you Aline. Would be super to see him with the Cats. Terrific player
Is he any kin to Michael Moreno, that played at EKU?
HS senior now?
He is junior now
That is his brother
This kid is getting better by the day. His foot work, strength & low post moves have gotten so much better in the past year. I had the privilege of watching him all season. The sky is the limit for Malachi. He is so grounded & is from a great family.
With you Kelly
I believe Pope is doing an excellent job recruiting the quality players to make a great team. If a player goes to Kentucky you better think team and winning a championship. If he builds it they will come, is a true statement. Kentucky will always be a hub of talent and winning. I hope this young 7 footer will want to be a part of that tradition.
So do I Charles
So excited for mark and bbn with the progression so far. Williams was a (major) grab. Couple older or skilled men like him and some good guard play, we will be very competitive next yr. Way to go mark! We’re behind ya! No more one and done young kids. That ship had sailed along with its captain.
Totally agree Anthony
ESPN has 6 2025 recruits from Kentucky as 4* players. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a class with so much promise. We need to get Moreno and Jasper Johnson. Ty Price is very good too. He alot of options in the state of Kentucky next year. I would get at least 3 or 4 out of the 6.
First time hearing about this kid. You gotta think Pope could personally teach this kid how to play the big man role from his own experience at the position. Seems like a round peg round hike type of of situation.
Go Cats!!
Go Kentucky Go Good Luck Year 2024 – 2025 Can not wait!!
Mark Pope is fantastic coach!!!!!!!
Agree robi
Yes,that one and done bullshit ship has sailed
UK men’s BB will probably be able to compete for SEC and NCAA championships in about 3-4 years. Let’s not get too excited just yet…
Time will tell about that. Pope will have a respectable team no matter what. Real Kentucky fans don’t expect a national title every year, just don’t embarrass BBN with lack of effort and selfishness.
With the portal nothing should take over 2 years. Remember Billy G disaster, Cal went to EE his first season
This 7 ft kid from great crossing how do you keep him from being a one ans done if we get him u can’t make him stay
What be a great problem to sign him and then him be so good that he is NBA ready
Calipari recruited kids that were always going to make it to the NBA and then lowered their draft stock by coaching poorly. Look how many Calipari one and dones would have have been drafted earlier in redraft polls by coaches and writers. Most Kentucky players like SGA are now considered "bargain picks".
Smart recruits will understand, go to Arkansas if you want to lower your draft stock by 10 spots, or go to Kentucky and play an NBA style game that highlights your talent.
No one thought Reed would leave. He was already worth 20.5 million and was making money hands over fist. You can’t hold a kid back from his dreams! I don’t like the one an done but it is what it is.
Very true Chad
Hope we get this kid , Coach Pope will get you ready for the NBA