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LEXINGTON — Kentucky basketball big man Malachi Moreno is following in the footsteps of Antonio Reeves and Otega Oweh.
Just as those two high-scoring guards did the past two years, Moreno declared for the NBA draft Monday. And just as that pair did, Moreno declared while maintaining his college eligibility. That would allow Moreno to return to college for his sophomore season.
If he does return, he will be back at UK with coach Mark Pope, he announced on social media.
Before a potential encore college campaign with the Wildcats, Moreno will go through the draft process. That includes participating in next month's NBA draft combine in Chicago, as well as pre-draft workouts with various teams.
A 7-foot, 250-pound center, Moreno had a standout freshman season for Kentucky.
He appeared in all 36 games, making 30 starts. Moreno led the team in rebounds (6.3) and blocks (1.47) per game; his blocks average ranked eighth among SEC players. His three double-doubles and field goal percentage (58.2; 96 for 165) were two more team bests in 2025-26.
Moreno scored a career high 18 points in a win over Valparaiso in November, while his best rebounding performance was 11 on three occasions (Tennessee Tech on Nov. 26, at Florida on Feb. 14 and at South Carolina on Feb. 24). He had a personal-best five blocks in a home victory over Texas in January. Notably, he regularly showcased his top-flight passing, recording four-plus assists in five games.
Moreno won the conference's Freshman of the Week award March 2 after averaging averaging 9.5 points and 8.5 rebounds in victories against South Carolina and Vanderbilt the previous week.
For his individual efforts over the course of the season, Moreno earned a spot on the league's all-freshman team.
He was the first commitment of the Wildcats' 2025 recruiting class. Moreno picked Kentucky over his other seven finalists — Arkansas, Indiana, Louisville, Iowa, Ohio State, North Carolina and Notre Dame — during a ceremony at Great Crossing High School's gym in August 2024.
He was a consensus four-star prospect by every major recruiting service: Rivals, 247Sports, ESPN and On3. Per the 247Sports Composite rankings, Moreno was the No. 25 recruit nationally in the 2025 class. He was the country's No. 2 center and the top-ranked prospect in Kentucky.
Moreno was a McDonald's All-American selection in 2025 and also was Kentucky's Mr. Basketball after leading Great Crossing High to its first state title in boys basketball. During that run to the state championship, Moreno posted 21.5 points, 14.9 rebounds, 3.5 blocks and 3.4 assists per outing.
Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at [email protected] and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky basketball's Malachi Moreno to test NBA Draft 2026 waters
Continue reading...
Just as those two high-scoring guards did the past two years, Moreno declared for the NBA draft Monday. And just as that pair did, Moreno declared while maintaining his college eligibility. That would allow Moreno to return to college for his sophomore season.
If he does return, he will be back at UK with coach Mark Pope, he announced on social media.
Before a potential encore college campaign with the Wildcats, Moreno will go through the draft process. That includes participating in next month's NBA draft combine in Chicago, as well as pre-draft workouts with various teams.
A 7-foot, 250-pound center, Moreno had a standout freshman season for Kentucky.
He appeared in all 36 games, making 30 starts. Moreno led the team in rebounds (6.3) and blocks (1.47) per game; his blocks average ranked eighth among SEC players. His three double-doubles and field goal percentage (58.2; 96 for 165) were two more team bests in 2025-26.
Moreno scored a career high 18 points in a win over Valparaiso in November, while his best rebounding performance was 11 on three occasions (Tennessee Tech on Nov. 26, at Florida on Feb. 14 and at South Carolina on Feb. 24). He had a personal-best five blocks in a home victory over Texas in January. Notably, he regularly showcased his top-flight passing, recording four-plus assists in five games.
Moreno won the conference's Freshman of the Week award March 2 after averaging averaging 9.5 points and 8.5 rebounds in victories against South Carolina and Vanderbilt the previous week.
For his individual efforts over the course of the season, Moreno earned a spot on the league's all-freshman team.
He was the first commitment of the Wildcats' 2025 recruiting class. Moreno picked Kentucky over his other seven finalists — Arkansas, Indiana, Louisville, Iowa, Ohio State, North Carolina and Notre Dame — during a ceremony at Great Crossing High School's gym in August 2024.
He was a consensus four-star prospect by every major recruiting service: Rivals, 247Sports, ESPN and On3. Per the 247Sports Composite rankings, Moreno was the No. 25 recruit nationally in the 2025 class. He was the country's No. 2 center and the top-ranked prospect in Kentucky.
Moreno was a McDonald's All-American selection in 2025 and also was Kentucky's Mr. Basketball after leading Great Crossing High to its first state title in boys basketball. During that run to the state championship, Moreno posted 21.5 points, 14.9 rebounds, 3.5 blocks and 3.4 assists per outing.
Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at [email protected] and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky basketball's Malachi Moreno to test NBA Draft 2026 waters
Continue reading...
