Kentucky is hosting a five-star seven-footer on an official visit
Kentucky already has five players in their 2024 recruiting class, but John Calipari isn't quite done yet.
Coach Calipari still has a few players he is targeting in 2024, and Kentucky's class is currently second in the cycle behind only Duke.
One of the players Kentucky is pursuing is 7'2 center Khaman Maluach, who currently plays for the NBA Academy Africa. On3 lists Maluach as the number nine player in the 2024 class, and it sounds like he is a player who can swat shots but also has a pretty jump shot. Kentucky already has two big men in the 2024 class, Jayden Quaintance, and Somto Cyril, so adding Maluach would give Coach Calipari a loaded frontcourt. Maluach is currently in Lexington for a visit. The hope for this staff is that this visit goes well and Kentucky can catch up to Duke, who currently seems to be the leader in Maluach's recruitment.
Jonathan Givony of ESPN had this to say about the seven-footer, "Maluach boasts a 7-foot-6 wingspan with outstanding mobility, giving him the defensive versatility to guard smaller players on the perimeter and be a significant deterrent as a rim protector. He has range on his jump shot and tremendous finishing prowess. Maluach averaged 21 points, 15.5 rebounds, and 4.5 blocks, shooting 40% from 3 in the Basketball Africa League (BAL) qualifiers last month with the NBA Academy Africa."
With Kentucky's current seven-footers struggling to rebound the ball and bring physicality, it's great to hear that Maluach is a guy who isn't afraid to grab rebounds. With his wingspan being 7'6, it's not hard to see why he is such a good shot blocker and rebounder.
All signs point to the fact that this visit has gone well, and if that is the case, Kentucky could add a very talented big man to this 2024 class, joining Quaintance and Cyril.
