Recruiting Update: Michael Moreno (2019)
PrepHoops.com caught up with Michael Moreno at the Music City MLK Roundball Classic in Nashville Saturday afternoon. Are the colleges extending interest to Moreno and his family? “They can’t really contact me right now because I am a sophomore, but…
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Continue ReadingPrepHoops.com caught up with Michael Moreno at the Music City MLK Roundball Classic in Nashville Saturday afternoon.
Are the colleges extending interest to Moreno and his family?
“They can’t really contact me right now because I am a sophomore, but before their season started kicking in I talked to Indiana a whole lot,” said Moreno.
Unlikely to remain simple, the offer list is short for now.
“Bradley is still my only offer,” said Moreno. “I talked to Vandy a lot. I visited Purdue. I visited Tennessee. And I visited Louisville. Louisville came down to practice, so I guess I stayed in contact with them a bit.”
Moreno did not shoot out to any college basketball games yet this winter, as his focus has been on the Scott County Cardinals.
“We have had some good wins and we have had some bad losses,” said Moreno. “I guess the season is just lopsided. We came out with high expectations and we are just not up to those right now.”
Moreno effortlessly listed areas of desired improvement.
“Cut down on turnovers, play better defense, close out on shooters,” said Moreno. “Could go right down the list, but I am satisfied with our effort. Our effort is good. We are scoring the ball well. We really just need to crack down on turnovers and closing down on shooters.”
Accountability and Support
Michael Moreno puts a lot of pressure on himself, but the support system in place provides him with strength.
“I can get better on everything honestly,” said Moreno. “My free throw percentage is horrendous. I need to up that 10/20% at least.”
The sophomore quickly rattled off his positive attributes this month.
“I think I have rebounded the ball well,” said Moreno. “I have stayed calm, played more calm, and I haven’t gotten ahead of myself, but I have to take care of the ball.”
What makes Moreno more than a good basketball player, but a reliable teammate and maturing young man is the family support.
“My family, they have got my back in everything,” said Moreno. “Obviously. I can’t thank them enough. My mom has been there through all of AAU. She has taken me everywhere. She has helped me stay in contact with the coaches that are recruiting me. And my dad, he works nights, so he is not able to catch some of my games in town, but he has been able to catch my games out of town. He went down to Beachball Classic with us and also he is here also. I am really thankful he is able to come.”
Relationships
Michael Moreno ran with Indiana Elite in the summer of 2016. Has Moreno maintained contact with his AAU teammates in the intervening months?
“Oh, all the time,” shared Moreno gleefully. “Kyle Rohde is one of my best friends. We travel together all summer. We played him this year. Kind of beat him (smirking). In their own gym. But I stay in contact with him. Jeremiah Francis, up in Ohio at Pickerington Central.”
High Standard
Moreno demands a lot of himself and his team. Currently a forward he imagines himself as a college wing.
“If I am able to grow like the doctor says probably a 3, maybe a stretch 4, possibly a 2.”
He aspires to expand his recruitment in the years to come.
“I have high expectations for myself,” said Moreno. “I don’t know if I am good enough yet to hear from the Kentucky’s, the Duke’s, the UCLA’s yet, but I would like to. I’d like to maybe start hearing from Coach K, Coach Cal.”