The state of Kentucky is unusually loaded with high major talent in the class of 2023, and Indiana is involved with all of the top players.
The latest name to emerge is 6-foot-11 center Cyr Malonga.
Malonga originally hails from Pointe-Noire in the Republic of Congo and now lives in Louisville and attends Evangel Christian.
Kentucky Prep Report reported this week Malonga was planning to visit Indiana. The Daily Hoosier confirmed on Thursday with Brandon Bender, the athletic director at Evangel, that Malonga will indeed visit IU in early June.
Malonga has a story similar to 2022 target Favour Aire. Both were soccer players in Africa who were recruited to come play basketball in the United States. In Malonga’s case, he didn’t start playing basketball until 2018.
The soccer background has served Malonga well, with a good base of athleticism that allows him to run the floor well and rebound and block shots at a high level. On film, his skill level is respectable considering his limited involvement with the game, and clearly college programs believe he can continue to fast-track his development and be ready for the next level in a couple years.
Malonga has reported offers or interest from Georgia, Illinois, Florida State, Kansas, Michigan, Georgetown, Arizona and Western Kentucky. The Kentucky Prep Report post indicated Malonga will visit Kentucky this summer as well.
For AAU, Malonga plays for Team Thad on the Nike EYBL circuit. He averaged 11.8 points, 11.5 rebounds and made 57.5 percent of his field-goals during his high school season.
Indiana is also talking to 2023 Kentucky products Reed Sheppard and Kaleb Glenn.
For a complete list of Indiana class of 2022 through 2025 recruiting targets, GO HERE.
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