Malachi Moreno ready to ‘make a legacy’ at Kentucky
GEORGETOWN, Ky. (BVM) – Kentucky has long been one of the most prestigious programs in college basketball. Within the past year, the Wildcats have endured changes, most notably Mark Pope taking over as head coach following John Calipari’s departure. Through the transition, many around the Wildcats, including Class of 2025 commit Malachi Moreno, are aiming to keep Kentucky at the top of the sport.
“Even though Cal is gone, it’s still Kentucky,” Moreno said. “There’s not many places better to play than Rupp Arena.”
Moreno, a four-star center in the Class of 2025 from Georgetown, Kentucky, was originally recruited by Calipari. The Wildcats’ pursuit of the talented big man didn’t stop once Pope – a national champion as a player at Kentucky – returned to his alma mater.
“That was a very surprising move from Cal to go to Arkansas,” Moreno said. “But Pope getting the job was a great fit. He understands the assignment. He knows what it means to wear UK.”
Moreno was always drawn to playing for his home-state team in part thanks to the big men the Wildcats have produced.
“The kind of pros they put in the league with the bigs they’ve had,” Moreno said about his intrigue in joining Kentucky. “With the bigs they’ve had from Anthony Davis, to Karl-Anthony Towns, to Nick Richards, P.J. Washington, a lot of those guys are really starting to flourish in the NBA.”
An opportunity to play in the SEC, arguably the country’s top men’s basketball conference this season, was also enticing.
“It’s the best conference in America,” Moreno said. “Being able to play in a league like that with the competition it has, that really just separated it for me and really showed me that this was the place that I want to be.”
Ultimately, Pope’s presence as a former NBA player who features big men in his offense further sealed the deal for Moreno. In August, the talented 7-foot center became Pope’s first high school commit, pledging to the Wildcats over several other finalists. The move signaled that Kentucky basketball is in good hands with its new coach.
4⭐️ Malachi Moreno (no. 36 ESPN 100) has committed to Kentucky! #BBN@malachimoreno24 | @KentuckyMBB pic.twitter.com/DVYW5yggjH
— SportsCenter NEXT (@SCNext) August 16, 2024
“He was a big man in the NBA so he knows what it takes to get there and being able to play for that caliber of a coach, that really set him apart from others,” Moreno said. “I think playing for a coach like that can really help me get better and get to the next level.”
While his focus is on what he can achieve at Kentucky, Moreno’s dream remains to get to the next level as many Kentucky big men have done, including his future head coach, and an NBA player who he looks up to, Los Angeles Lakers star Anthony Davis.
“It’s going to take a lot of hard work and a lot of dedication,” Moreno said. “If I’m blessed enough to make it there, it would just show a pathway for other hoopers around the country that if you really want it, if you really work hard for it, it’ll all work in your favor.”
Reaching the pros in the future would be another step in Moreno’s exceptional basketball journey that was sparked by his older brother, Michael.
“Being around my brother playing basketball, it just helped me kickstart my love for the game,” Malachi said.
Michael is a former collegiate player at Eastern Kentucky, and the work he put in to get to that level inspired his younger brother.
“I haven’t seen many people who have ever worked harder than my brother,” Malachi said. “He set the tone for me and just showed how bad I really need to want it and how hard I want to work for it.”
That work began throughout Malachi’s youth where he was often one of the tallest players on the floor, growing to 6-foot-1 as he entered middle school. At that point, he knew basketball was his future.
“That’s when I knew I was built for this sport,” Malachi said. “Throughout middle school I just kept growing so I knew it was time to start getting serious and I started falling in love with the game.”
Malachi continued to grow literally and figuratively as he began his high school career at Great Crossing in eighth grade. Over the first few years of his prep career, the 7-footer aimed at perfecting his strong post play and elite defense.
“I just tried to perfect what I was good at, tried to be a good defender and tried to help my team in any way I could,” Malachi said. “I think we really set the tone for the next two years.”
During his junior season, Malachi averaged 16 points, 13.3 rebounds and 3.7 blocks while shooting 65.7%. His 491 rebounds led the state, and he posted six games with 10 or more blocks. Great Crossing also made its first-ever run to the Sweet 16 of the KHSAA state tournament.
“We had that mindset that we were just going to play our hardest and we weren’t backing down from anybody,” Malachi said. “Going to Rupp Arena with my best friends, that was just a life moment that I cherish and I’ll never forget … That’s something you always dream of. It’s a moment that I’m very grateful for.”
The Warhawks have remained one of the top teams in the state in 2024-25, becoming battle-tested through a national schedule against many of the top teams in the country. Malachi has excelled once again, highlighted by a 39-point game in the City of Palms Classic in December, and is averaging over 20 points.
Malachi Moreno is the man 🔥🏀
@malachimoreno24 with a 3️⃣9️⃣ pt performance 💪The @jerseymikes Naismith Boys’ HS POY Watch List member from Great Crossing put on a show of dominance tonight at @CityOfPalmsBKB 🏀🌴#JerseyMikesNaismith2025 #NaismithWatchList… pic.twitter.com/qQZIa9oM1o— Naismith Awards (@NaismithTrophy) December 24, 2024
“Being able to play this national schedule, it shows the hard work that we put in,” Malachi said. “It’s my last season, I don’t get another go-around at this. I don’t want to leave any regrets.”
While Malachi’s top priority is team success, it’s no secret that he’s a favorite to win Kentucky Mr. Basketball, a special accomplishment in a state that has produced many basketball legends.
“It’s definitely been a goal of mine,” Malachi said. “I kind of just try to keep it at the back of my mind because I’m more worried about my team goals.
“I think it would be a great accolade to have because it’s such a prestigious award. Being able to win that award would mean the absolute world to me.”
Soon, Malachi’s focus will be carrying his success over to the Wildcats. Being one of the Bluegrass State’s latest stars to stay home carries significant weight for the Great Crossing standout.
“It means a lot to represent Georgetown and wear Kentucky across my chest,” Malachi said. “It’s a dream I’ve always had, being able to pave the way for the people that look up to me and being able to show them that hard work really does pay off.”
Malachi also hopes winning comes alongside representing his home state. With the talent Pope has drawn to Lexington both on the current roster and in his first incoming recruiting class – also including talented guards Jasper Johnson and Acaden Lewis – the ceiling remains high for Kentucky basketball.
“My ultimate goal is to make a legacy and just to win,” Malachi said. “Just be a winning program and be able to say Kentucky basketball is still Kentucky basketball.”
