Here’s everything that’s been going on with Malachi Moreno and Jasper Johnson lately — from high-stakes competition to impactful team moments and burgeoning Kentucky ties:
- In mid-June, USA Basketball held its U19 camp in Colorado Springs. Head coach Mark Pope of the Kentucky Wildcats, who was serving as an on-court assistant, got the opportunity to coach both Moreno and Johnson during scrimmages. Pope described both players as “jaw‑dropping great,” applauding their performances against elite competition
- Pope later emphasized to reporters that Jasper Johnson is “a superstar,” praising his scoring ability, poise, and defensive craft (
- On Moreno, Pope noted he’s “getting better every day,” and said NBA scouts are increasingly impressed by the seven-footer’s consistent growth
- Starting June 14, both recruits attended USA U19 training camp, coached by Pope
- Unfortunately, Moreno suffered a minor injury during camp. To avoid aggravating it, he and Team USA mutually agreed that he would step away rather than risk further damage
- Jasper Johnson, by contrast, remained and was named among the final 18 players on June 16 and could make the final 12-man roster to compete in the FIBA U19 World Cup
- In January, many were surprised when Jasper Johnson — a consensus five-star guard averaging nearly 20 PPG — was left off the prestigious McDonald’s All-American roster (
- Despite this, Johnson earned a spot on the 2025 Nike Hoop Summit national team, joining Moreno and being one of just two Kentucky commits selected
- Malachi Moreno, a 7-foot center from nearby Great Crossing High, earned Kentucky’s Mr. Basketball award and was one of the top center prospects in the class Moreno helped lead his high school to the KHSAA Sweet 16 state semifinals and was later honored as a McDonald’s All‑American, even while Johnson was snubbed
- He also impressed USA Basketball enough at a previous mini‑camp to be listed among its top underclassmen (After Moreno committed in August 2024, he delivered a public pitch to Jasper Johnson, stating, “You know where home is at, Jasper,” a comment that resonated in recruiting circles
- Johnson confirmed that Moreno’s presence was “definitely a plus” when he made his own commitment
- Moreno called Johnson a “force in the post,” while Johnson described Moreno’s arrival as an exciting addition, saying “we’re gonna get started next year”
- Their shared Kentucky heritage and connection to Pope help reinforce the program’s “KY ’til I die” culture
- Kentucky’s 2025 class, bolstered by these two top-25 recruits, currently ranks among the best in the country (
- North Carolina and other blue-blood programs were in contention until both recruits chose to stay in-state
- Their joint commitment, along with Acaden Lewis, creates strong momentum for Kentucky heading into the official visit period
- NBA Draft Mock projections for 2026 rank Johnson and Moreno as potential first-round picks, with Johnson around 16th and Moreno projected in the 23–30 range
- Their early enrollment and high-impact ceiling under Coach Pope could accelerate their development into NBA-ready talent.
Though the phrase “spotted together in the locker room” may sound sensational, it reflects a few key dynamics playing out:
- On-court chemistry at USA camp – sharing locker room space with Team USA while competing together.
- Kentucky’s summer workouts – as in-state recruits, they’ve been training side by side under Mark Pope ahead of the 2025–26 season.
- Shared hype and bonding moments – from their recruiting pitches to joint public appearances (“full-circle moment” as per Moreno)
These interactions have become symbolic of the close-knit in-state duo that the program has strategically built around
- Jasper Johnson: May make the USA U19 final 12, compete in FIBA U19 World Cup (June 28–July 6), and return to join Kentucky’s summer prep camp. Watch for how Pope says he’ll integrate Johnson into the team’s physical play and perimeter threats
- Malachi Moreno: After recovering from his injury, he’ll lead Kentucky’s frontcourt depth in summer workouts. Coming off 36 double-doubles last season in high school, he’ll likely be a foundational piece inside — particularly valuable with Kentucky needing healthy bigs
- Coach Pope’s Vision: He plans an offense with pace, high-quantity threes, and strong frontcourt facilitation — Moreno and Johnson both fit the mold: Johnson can shoot and fill with flair, Moreno can pass from the post (
- Johnson and Moreno are not just two Kentucky names; they’re central to Pope’s in-state-first philosophy.
- From youth prospects to national recruits, Team USA stars to future Wildcats, they’re building chemistry from the locker room outward.
- Their journey from homegrown talent, through USA Basketball, and into a headline-making Kentucky class underscores their importance—both athletically and culturally.
Let me know if you’d like a deeper dive into their playing styles, summer schedules, upcoming exhibition games, or mock draft profiles!
