Recruiting Report: Michael Moreno (2019)
We are on the tail end of summer basketball and around the country, college prospects at all levels are working on their game and working toward earning an opportunity to play at the next level. Prep Hoops Kentucky puts the spotlight on prospects around the Bluegrass State.
Michael Moreno is a 6’6 Forward out of Powerhouse Scott County High School. Michael has just finished an impressive and very successful 16u AAU season for Indiana Elite on the Adidas Uprising Circuit. Currently ranked #3 in our 2019 rankings, Moreno has done plenty to justify his lofty ranking. In his sophomore season as a Cardinal, Moreno averaged a double double with nearly 22 points per game to go with 10 rebounds per game.
Incredibly efficient on offense, Moreno shot 58% from the field overall and 38% from behind the three point arc. As one of the leaders on a young Scott County team, he helped lead them to a 31-6 record. Their only losses were an early season contest at Lexington Catholic and 15 point loss to eventual state champion Bowling Green at Rupp Arena. I recently caught up with Michael to reflect on his AAU season and look ahead to his Junior year at Scott County.
PHKY: Describe your game. What do you do best? What are you working to improve? Do you model your game after anyone?
MM: I would say my game is kind of like a jack of all trades. I feel confident enough to say i can pass, shoot, rebound, block shots, defend, and even handle the ball. I am working to improve my ball handling skills, my on-ball defense, scoring from all 3 levels and just upping my level of play consistently.
PHKY: Recap your AAU season. Were you happy with how you played?
MM: My AAU season went great! We finished 41-2 and 99.9% of teams across the country would love that. For me personally, that puts a bad taste in my mouth for the next season. Next year is my last AAU season so I’ve got to go out with a bang.
PHKY: What colleges are showing interest or have offered?
MM: I have D1 offers from Iowa, Northern Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky, Bradley, & IUPUI. I have a D2 offer from Union University in Jackson, Tennessee. I also have an NAIA offer from Georgetown College (where Moreno’s dad played college basketball). There are many schools showing interest like UNC, Purdue, Indiana, Creighton, Ohio State, Tennessee, Cornell, ETSU, and more. Moreno took an unofficial visit to Kentucky last season.
PHKY: What are you looking for in a college?
MM: I’m looking for a place that I feel comfortable calling home. I am looking for a school where I can build great relationships with my team and coaching staff, the community of students, as well as the public and the fan base. I want a great education but I want a good support staff with my coaches who want me to succeed in the classroom. Overall,I’m looking for a great place to play basketball and that will help me become the best possible player and person I can be.
PHKY: What are your goals for the upcoming HS season?
MM: My ultimate goal this year is to win a state championship. I think that we will surprise people this season and that’s hard for anyone to say about Scott county. Our point guard (Cooper Robb) just committed to UNC-Charlotte and we have many players in the program who can fill the roles and spots on the floor that need to be filled to win a title. I want to finish building the dynasty that Coach Hicks has built in Georgetown and that I’ve been building since I stepped foot into Scott County Middle School.
Scott County has a ton of talent with Moreno, Robb and 2019 SG Bryce Long and they only graduated 2 players from a team that made a trip to Rupp Arena last season. With longtime coach Billy Hicks leading the team and all the offensive weapons at his disposal, the Scott County Cardinals figure to be a potential 2018 Kentucky State Championship team.