MALIBU, California – The future of the Pepperdine men's basketball program got better today as head coach
Lorenzo Romar introduced three impressive recruits that will join the Waves next year –
Malik Moore,
Jalen Pitre and
Jevon Porter.
"When our last freshman class is combined with this class, we think it's about as good of back-to-back classes that we can get," Romar said. "We've very excited about our future with these freshmen."
Malik Moore – 6-foot-5 guard – Simi Valley, Calif. – Heritage Christian HS
Rated as the #33 player in the state of California by CalHi Sports, and #43 by Silver Waves Media ... Earned all-league honors as a sophomore and junior ... Averaged 12 points, 5.5 assists and four rebounds as a junior ... Helped Heritage Christian reach the semifinals of the 2021 CIF Southern Section Division 1 tournament, and the quarterfinals of the D1 state tournament ... Father, Lee, played at Long Beach State and professionally in China.
Romar says: "Malik is a very complete guard. He can pass it, handle it and shoot it. He has a high basketball IQ. At 6-4, 6-5, he's able to see over the top of the defense and make plays, but he will also be versatile enough to guard players of all different sizes."
Moore says: "Pepperdine's in a great area and I love being close to the beach. I'm a California kid so it's nice to stay home and have my parents nearby. I love Coach Romar, I look up to him so much and the path he took, and I knew I wanted to play for him. He can help my game and make me better. I'm a very calm, cool and collected player. I never get sped up. I'm a good shooter. I like to get my teammates involved. Most of all, I'm trying to win the game. I want to help Pepperdine be the best in the conference and show that we have what it takes to go far in the tournament."
Paul Tait, Heritage Christian coach, says: "Malik is a super late bloomer. His potential is through the roof. I had a chance to coach Spencer Dinwiddie before he went on to Colorado and the NBA and I see a similar game in Malik. He's super smooth, plays under control, doesn't get sped up, plays at his own pace. He's turning into an excellent shooter. Malik's best basketball is still a couple of years away because he hasn't started to reach his potential yet. He's super easy to coach."
Jalen Pitre – 6-foot-8 forward – Long Beach, Calif. – Woodstock Academy
Originally signed with Pepperdine a year ago, but instead is attending a year of prep school at the Woodstock Academy in Woodstock, Conn ... Graduated from Long Beach (Calif.) Poly High School in 2021 ... Averaged 18 points and nine rebounds and made the All-Moore League first team as a senior ... Helped Poly to the CIF Southern Section 2AA semifinals ... Previously attended Gahr High School in Cerritos, Calif., and made both the All-San Gabriel Valley League and HMG Community News all-area first teams as a sophomore and junior ... Averaged 15.9 points, 9.9 rebounds and 2.9 blocks as a junior ... Played on the varsity as a freshman ... Played AAU ball with the Belmont Shore, Veritas and Oakland Soldiers.
Romar says: "Jalen is very athletic with a very good skill set. At 6-foot-8, he is a tremendous passer as well as an adept ball-handler. He's versatile enough to grab rebounds, push the ball up the floor and make plays. We're very fortunate to have someone with his size and skill come play for us."
Pitre says: "I chose Pepperdine because first off, the coaching staff is great, they do a phenomenal job leading players in the right direction. Everything is so family-based. I love playing on a team where everyone is family. As I got to know Coach Romar, I really built a respect for him different than other coaches. He's coached a lot of great players. Before I committed, he told me to choose the place that I believed God was leading me, even if that wasn't Pepperdine. That helped me know he was the right coach for me. And the campus is so beautiful, you can't go wrong with Malibu. I think I'm good at rebounding, I've got great court vision and I can really push the pace in transition. I can either find my teammates or take it to the basket."
Jacque Rivera, Woodstock Academy coach, says: "Jalen has all the tools to be a successful college athlete. He's tall, he's got a 6-foot-11 wingspan, he's very versatile. Most importantly, Jalen has a great smile. What I mean by that is that people enjoy being around him. He's a selfless individual. On the basketball court, he's going to have success because he likes to share, and people like playing with guys like him. His ability to rebound the basketball sets him apart. He's got a nose for the basketball, and that's going to help Coach Romar and Pepperdine be successful."
Shelton Diggs, Poly High coach, says: "Jalen had a great season with us. He's an excellent rebounder and a really good defender. He's a tweener, between a 3 and a 4. He's got a nice outside shot and can finish around the basket. He's a funny guy who will get everyone laughing, but when he's on the court, he's all business."
Jevon Porter – 6-foot-11 forward – Columbia, Mo. – Father Tolton Catholic HS
A four-star recruit according to ESPN and received three stars from Rivals and 247 Sports ... Ranked as the #121 player in the country and the #5 recruit in the state of Missouri by 247 Sports ... Averaged 22.4 points, 11.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.5 blocks en route to all-state honors as a junior ... Was the AAA Conference Offensive Player of the Year and made the all-conference and All-District 8 teams ... Was the Boone County Boys Basketball Player of the Year ... As a sophomore, averaged 12 points and 9.5 rebounds ... Was the AAA Conference co-Defensive Player of the Year and an All-District 9 pick ... Older brother Michael Jr. played at Missouri and now plays with the Denver Nuggets ... Older brother Jontay also played at Missouri and was with the Memphis Grizzlies last season ... Older sisters Bri and Cierra also played at Missouri.
Romar says: "Jevon is extremely versatile and very skilled at his height. He can shoot and handle the basketball. He's another high IQ player. He's a special, special talent."
Porter says: "My family has had a great relationship with Coach Romar. One of the main reasons I chose Pepperdine was because every college that Coach Romar has been at, he's always produced pros. I want to get to the next level, and I wanted to go to a place where the coaches will help make me the player I want to become at the next level. If I had to describe my game in one word, it would be versatile. Offensively, I can play inside and outside and stretch the floor. On defense, I'm a good shot blocker and can guard one through five. My main goal is to come in and be the player that the coaches envision me that can help the team win."
Jeremy Osborne, Father Tolton Catholic coach, says: "First and foremost, Jevon is a high-character kid with a great work ethic. He's extremely coachable and wants to get better. He's a gym rat. He brings a versatile game, he plays hard at both ends of the floor, and can score from any level. He's a joy to watch and to be around. He makes everyone else better. He's definitely a guy you want on your team on and off the court. In Coach Romar's offense, he's going to thrive with his ability to play inside and out and the way he can take advantage of mismatches."
