Giant UNC Basketball Target Chooses to Play for Different Blueblood
![UNC basketball head coach Hubert Davis UNC basketball head coach Hubert Davis](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_7227,h_4065,x_0,y_117/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/all_tar_heels/01j5dzjd5ghdr3pj4cz9.jpg)
Whether in the transfer portal or recruiting arena, UNC basketball head coach Hubert Davis and his staff haven't been as successful as they probably hoped this offseason in their pursuits of top-shelf big men.
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Add Malachi Moreno to that list of misses by the Tar Heels.
On Friday, the Great Crossing High School (Ky.) senior, a 7-footer sitting No. 26 overall, No. 2 among centers, and No. 1 in the Bluegrass State, announced his commitment to the in-state Wildcats and first-year Kentucky head coach Mark Pope. Moreno unveiled his Kentucky shirt at the ceremony in his school's gym, choosing Pope & Co. over his seven other finalists in UNC, Notre Dame, Arkansas, Ohio State, Iowa, Indiana, and Louisville.
4 ⭐️ big man Malachi Moreno picks his hometown Kentucky squad to play his college ball 😼 #bbn pic.twitter.com/wzr0Jvqrye
— League Ready (@LeagueRDY) August 16, 2024
"Being able to wear Kentucky across my chest," Moreno explained to 247Sports' Travis Branham, "is exactly like Reed Sheppard said: there's nothing better."
Prior to setting his announcement date this week, Moreno had marked his calendar for official visits in the fall to UNC, Ohio State, Indiana, Arkansas, and Kentucky. However, it appears an unofficial visit to Kentucky earlier this month sealed the deal.
The Bullis School (Md.) four-star southpaw Eric Reibe is now the only undecided center on the 2025 UNC basketball offer sheet.