The UNC basketball staff contacted junior Malachi Moreno of Great Crossing (Ky.) in late January. The Tar Heels then followed up on that by sending assistant Sean May to watch the 7-foot-1, 220-pound acclaimed center in play on Tuesday night, as Rivals’ David Sisk reported.
It’s reasonable to say that May was impressed by Moreno, a four-star prospect who ranks No. 35 overall on the 247Sports 2025 Composite and possesses remarkable quickness and instincts for his stature.
After all, he contributed 11 rebounds and 26 points on 13 of 15 field goal shooting in 27 minutes during Great Crossing’s 72-49 victory over Walton-Verona at home.
Malachi Moreno currently has about twenty offers, the most notable being from Kentucky, a home-state contender and blueblood recruiting powerhouse. He has already paid visits to a number of suitors, including the Wildcats, in the interim, and he has stated in recent interviews that a decision might be made as soon as June.
Therefore, it will probably be necessary for UNC basketball head coach Hubert Davis and his staff to add Moreno to their 2025 wishlist as soon as possible if they want to be considered.
The Tar Heels have nine current juniors in high school on their official target list as of right now. All of them are five-star players with composite rankings in the top 15.
It is noteworthy, though, that UNC’s offer sheet does not currently feature a center, despite being stacked with strong forwards. Considering the Moreno show that May saw this week, maybe that won’t last for long.
