All Tar Heels

UNC Basketball: Towering Recruit Shines in Front of Tar Heel Assistant

UNC basketball interest appears to be growing in the Malachi Moreno sweepstakes.

Matt Giles

Photo credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
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In late January, the UNC basketball staff reached out to Great Crossing (Ky.) junior Malachi Moreno. And as Rivals' David Sisk reported, the Tar Heels followed up on that by sending assistant Sean May to check out the 7-foot-1, 220-pound heralded center in action on Tuesday night.

It's safe to say Moreno, who is a four-star prospect with notable agility and instincts for his size while ranking No. 35 overall on the 247Sports 2025 Composite, impressed May.

After all, he tallied 26 points on 13-for-15 shooting from the field, adding 11 rebounds across 27 minutes in Great Crossing's 72-49 home win over Walton-Verona.

Malachi Moreno holds roughly two dozen offers, highlighted by the one from a blueblood recruiting juggernaut in home-state hopeful Kentucky. Meanwhile, he has already visited several suitors, including the Wildcats, and he's said in recent interviews that a decision could come as early as June.

So, if UNC basketball head coach Hubert Davis and his crew hope to be in the mix, they'll likely need to add Moreno to their 2025 wishlist sooner rather than later.

Thus far, the Tar Heels have officially targeted nine current high school juniors. They're all five-star talents boasting top-15 composite rankings.

But it's worth noting that UNC's offer sheet, while loaded with power forwards, does not yet show a center. Perhaps that won't be the case for long, considering the Moreno show that May witnessed this week.

Tar Heels Trending as Frontrunner in Five-Star Races

Stay tuned to All Tar Heels on SI.com for more UNC basketball recruiting news.

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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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