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UNC Basketball: Crystal Ball Pick Surfaces for Huge Recruit

The UNC basketball staff is still slated to host Malachi Moreno, but it appears the 7-footer is trending to another blueblood.

Matt Giles

UNC basketball recruiting target Malachi Moreno
UNC basketball recruiting target Malachi Moreno / Matt Stone/The Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK
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Great Crossing High School (Ky.) rising senior Malachi Moreno, one of only two 2025 centers holding a UNC basketball offer, included the Tar Heels among the top eight he named in late June. The 7-foot-1, 230-pound four-star's other finalists are Notre Dame, Arkansas, Ohio State, Indiana, Iowa, Louisville, and Kentucky.

ALSO READ: Major 2025 Tar Heel Recruit Plans to Visit Chapel Hill

Moreno, looking to wrap up his recruitment by his 18th birthday on Oct. 24, has scheduled an official visit with the Tar Heels for the second weekend of September.

But earlier this month, the coveted big man, No. 26 overall and No. 1 in Kentucky on the 247Sports 2025 Composite, took an unofficial visit to Kentucky. Plus, he's locked in an official visit with the Wildcats for the second weekend in October, the final trip on his calendar.

And on Monday, 247Sports' Travis Branham, who is arguably the top insider when it comes to high-profile recruitments involving Kentucky and typically doesn't forecast battles without significant intel, entered a Crystal Ball pick in favor of Mark Pope's Wildcats.

Branham tagged his prediction with a "high" level of confidence. It's the first Crystal Ball pick for the Malachi Moreno sweepstakes.

UNC basketball head coach Hubert Davis and his staff have yet to secure their first 2025 recruiting prize. They have offers to 18 undecided preps in the cycle, but several of those targets have eliminated the Tar Heels from contention.

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Matt Giles

MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, Duke Blue Devils on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining UNC on SI in 2023, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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