Malachi Moreno, a 2025 four-star recruiting target for Indiana basketball, still considers IU a 'blue blood' and a place high on his list. (Kyler Staley / HoosierIllustrated.com)
2025 four-star center Malachi Moreno of Great Crossing (Ky.) High School has been a main priority for the Indiana basketball staff for the past few years snd nothing has changed on that front. While his recruitment is starting to go national, Indiana remains a program that is at the top of his recruitment.
Moreno has seen his stock skyrocket over the last year. He averaged 16.0 points, 13.2 rebounds, 3.7 blocks and 2.2 assists per game as a junior and that has led into a very strong summer for Indiana Elite, helping lead them to an undefeated 13-0 record at the moment.
He is averaging 13.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game on the Adidas 3SSB Circuit this spring.
“He has great size and stays true to getting up the floor, setting screens, and scoring around the basket,” 247Sports national analyst Brandon Jenkins wrote after the live period this month. “His touch has improved but still has ways to go in that area of his game. All the signs point towards him being an impact big man who will progress each year at the collegiate level.
When it comes to his recruitment, he mentions Indiana, Baylor, Kentucky and Ohio State as the programs he will ‘definitely’ visit this summer and fall.
Moreno has already visited Indiana multiple times over the past few years and recently, he said that he considers Indiana basketball ‘a blue blood’.
“Indiana, I consider them a blue blood to be honest,” Moreno told Matt Whitfield of Zagsblog.com. “They have been involved in my recruitment since I was a freshman. And I have only grown tighter and closer with them ever since.”
Moreno and his Indiana Elite teammates Trent Sisley and Braylon Mullins have discussed the idea of taking an official visit to Indiana basketball together and while it’s not set in stone, it’s a likely outcome. All three are top priorities for the Indiana basketball staff.
Moreno spent last weekend competing at the Team USA Men’s U18 National Team Training Camp, and although he made the initial cut, he came up just short on landing on the final 12-man roster.
Here are recent highlights from Moreno at the Indiana Jam Fest.
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Alec Lasley is the owner of Hoosier Illustrated, a comprehensive site covering news, updates and recruiting for Indiana University athletics. Alec has covered Indiana for six years and is a credentialed media member. He has previously worked for both Rivals and 247Sports.