UK Coach Mark Pope lauds freshman Malachi Moreno during spring training exercises
Malachi Moreno Readies for Promising Season with Kentucky Wildcats
Malachi Moreno, the highly-touted 7-foot-1 center from Kentucky, is gearing up for the 2025-26 season with high expectations of growth and improvement. After a stellar high school career, which included winning Kentucky Mr. Basketball and leading Great Crossing High School to a state championship, Moreno is ranked among the top recruits in the 2025 class, with a national ranking of around No. 25-27 (1, 2).
Kentucky head coach Mark Pope has set lofty expectations for Moreno, emphasizing his athleticism, defensive presence, and physicality, traits crucial for success at the college level and beyond (4). Moreno's work ethic and leadership potential are highlighted, with him expected to help "lead the charge" for the Wildcats in the upcoming season (1, 3).
Moreno's focus this season will likely be on refining his physicality and offensive versatility to meet college and professional expectations (4). His mindset aligns with Kentucky's high standards and championship goals, aiming to contribute significantly to adding another banner in Rupp Arena (5).
Moreno's summer workouts have been a learning curve, as he continues to work on being more consistent and holding his own on the court (6). His hip injury, which required him to withdraw from the Team USA U19 team, is improving, thanks to treatment and rehab (7). Despite the ups and downs, Moreno feels he is progressing, with the summer workouts providing a valuable opportunity to adjust to the college game (8).
Moreno is committed to using his body more effectively, drawing inspiration from Amari Williams' play last season (9). His performance during the summer workouts has been impressive, earning him praise from coach Mark Pope (10). As he becomes more aware of the terminology, Moreno believes his performance has improved (11).
Moreno, a 6-foot-11 freshman forward for the Kentucky team, is embracing the early expectations at Kentucky and is focused on making different reads and passes, similar to how Amari Williams played last season (12). The summer workouts have given him time to adapt to the college game, and he understands the standard at Kentucky is to be the best and contribute to winning the ninth national championship (13).
Coach Mark Pope has expressed high praise for Moreno, describing him as capable and noting that there will be moments where he seems ready for the NBA (14). Moreno chose to return to Kentucky to focus on getting healthy and building team chemistry, with his performance during the summer workouts being beneficial for his development (15).
With the 2025-26 season fast approaching, Moreno is poised to make a significant impact on the Kentucky Wildcats, building on his high school success and continuing to grow under coach Mark Pope's guidance. His improvements in physicality, defense, and team leadership position him as a potential NBA candidate pending his development this season.
- Malachi Moreno, ranked among the top recruits in the 2025 class, is expected to lead the charge for the Kentucky Wildcats in the upcoming 2025-26 season.
- After winning Kentucky Mr. Basketball and leading Great Crossing High School to a state championship, Moreno has a national ranking of around No. 25-27.
- In the 2025-26 season, Malachi Moreno, the 7-foot-1 center from Kentucky, is aiming to contribute significantly to adding another banner in Rupp Arena.
- Kentucky head coach Mark Pope has set lofty expectations for Moreno, emphasizing his athleticism, defensive presence, physicality, and the need for him to refine his physicality and offensive versatility.
- Moreno's focus this season will likely be on meeting college and professional expectations, aligning with Kentucky's high standards and championship goals.
- Moreno's summer workouts have been a learning curve, as he continues to work on being more consistent and holding his own on the court.
- His hip injury, which required him to withdraw from the Team USA U19 team, is improving, thanks to treatment and rehab.
- Despite the ups and downs, Moreno feels he is progressing, with the summer workouts providing a valuable opportunity to adjust to the college game.
- Moreno is committed to using his body more effectively, drawing inspiration from Amari Williams' play last season.
- His performance during the summer workouts has been impressive, earning him praise from coach Mark Pope.
- As he becomes more aware of the terminology, Moreno believes his performance has improved.
- Moreno, a 6-foot-11 freshman forward for the Kentucky team, is embracing the early expectations at Kentucky and is focused on making different reads and passes, similar to how Amari Williams played last season.
- The summer workouts have given him time to adapt to the college game, and he understands the standard at Kentucky is to be the best and contribute to winning the ninth national championship.
- Coach Mark Pope has expressed high praise for Moreno, describing him as capable and noting that there will be moments where he seems ready for the NBA.
- Moreno chose to return to Kentucky to focus on getting healthy and building team chemistry, with his performance during the summer workouts being beneficial for his development.
