Mark Pope’s first months as the Kentucky men’s basketball coach have already been filled with major moments for the former UK player.
From his iconic arrival at his first press conference in Rupp Arena, to his first Big Blue Madness this month, Pope has reinvigorated the UK fan base with his energy and enthusiasm.
These characteristics have also been cited by top high school recruits as a reason why they are interested in, or have already committed to, Pope’s program.
Recruits have gotten a firsthand look at Pope’s dialed-up demeanor on recruiting visits to Lexington during the summer and fall.
UK basketball fans know the importance of a prospect taking an official visit to UK, a trip that often coincides with major athletic events like a UK football home game or Big Blue Madness.
But what actually goes on during these recruiting visits to Kentucky, and how much of a factor are they when a prospect is making their college decision?
The Herald-Leader spoke to several Kentucky basketball recruits in the 2025 and 2026 classes who have visited UK in recent months since Pope became the head coach. Here’s what they said goes down during a Kentucky basketball recruiting visit.
UK BASKETBALL COMMIT MALACHI MORENO PRAISES MARK POPE’S COMMUNICATION Local high school star Malachi Moreno became Kentucky basketball’s first class of 2025 commitment in August.
The Great Crossing High School star is ranked by the 247Sports Composite as a five-star prospect and as the No. 24 player in the 2025 class.
Before Moreno committed to the Wildcats during a ceremony inside Great Crossing’s home gym in Georgetown, he spent the summer getting acquainted with Pope through several trips to Lexington.
Earlier this month while at a USA Basketball Junior National Team minicamp in Colorado, Moreno said Pope’s communication with him during the summer centered around faith, family and the impact that going to Kentucky had on Pope’s life.
“We honestly didn’t even talk about basketball,” Moreno told the Herald-Leader. “We would kind of just sit, talk about life, he would tell me stories about his time at Kentucky.
Then, he brought me into Rupp Arena and showed me his banner (for the 1996 national championship). I mean, how could you not want to play for a coach who won a banner at that school?”
Pope’s communication also extended to Moreno’s mother, Sarah, and his older brother, Michael, who recently finished a distinguished college basketball career at Eastern Kentucky.
“(Pope) would call my mom randomly during the day and just have like a two-hour long conversation about anything,” Moreno said.
“He always talked to my brother about my brother’s career at Eastern Kentucky. So, it’s just all the love he showed my family, it meant a lot to us and that really stuck out to me.”
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