by LARRY VAUGHT
“Malachi is a terrific young player. I think he’s one of the best freshmen in the country and certainly has a big role in Kentucky’s team,” Miller said after Moreno had eight points, six assists and four rebounds in 26 minutes in UK’s win against his team.
“I think he’s improving. Everyone likes to judge these guys on one snapshot, but you forget he’s 19 years old and from Northern Kentucky. He’s playing in games that he’s never played before. I think he’s only going to continue to get better.”
Moreno, who hit the game-winning shot at LSU, was Kentucky’s Mr. Basketball and a McDonald’s All-American after leading Great Crossing to the 2025 boys high school state title. Still, few expected him to be averaging 8.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 22 minutes per game in late January.
“He’s doing great. He’s really filling up the stat sheet with blocks, assists and rebounds,” UK senior Otega Oweh said. “It helps us a lot when he’s being that efficient and that aggressive.”
Moreno has been forced into a much bigger role because Jayden Quaintance was not cleared to play until mid-December after last season’s knee injury at Arizona State. He played only four games before the knee flared up and kept him from playing.
Kentucky coach Mark Pope calls Moreno “really smart” and liked the way he avoided committing fouls in the win over Texas defending Matas Vokietaitis, who leads the nation in fouls drawn
“Malachi had a complicated guard all over the court. Complicated in ball screens, complicated curl protects,” the UK coach said.
He also liked that Moreno led the team with assists and had the ball in his hands often to start UK’s offense.
“Halftime I’m putting a play call in, and Malachi’s like, ‘No Coach, we already got it. We already talked about it as a team. We already figured out what we want to do,’” Pope said. “He is a coach on the floor as a freshman, as a 7-foot freshman. I’m proud of him, and he continues to get better and better and better.”
