Freshman Malachi Moreno has NBA potential but NBA analyst Krysten Peek believes he will be back at Kentucky next season. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Could Kentucky freshman Malachi Moreno be a one-and-done player with his stock rising with NBA scouts because of his recent play?
NBAdraftroom.com calls Moreno a “fast rising center prospect who looks the part of a future NBA draft pick with first round potential” in the 2026 or 2027 draft. The site praises his “solid frame, coordination, strength, timing as a shot blocker, and length” while noting he is not the most explosive player.
Respected NBA draft analyst Matt Babcock believes Moreno already checks a lot of NBA boxes for a big man.
“Although he has some limitations, his size and mobility allow him to be effective, especially on the defensive end. Adding strength and continuing to develop offensively will be key. He’s a prospect to continue monitoring,” Babcock posted on babcockhoops.com.
Krysten Peek, a NBA.com contributor and analyst, has not heard a lot of buzz about the 7-foot Moreno among NBA executives and scouts.
“I think his best path will be testing the NBA draft waters, getting feedback about his game and coming back to college to help his draft status in a weaker (draft) class (in 2027),” Peek said. “The guaranteed money stops at the beginning of the second round. If you are drafted anywhere from 33 to 60, you are probably going to sign a two-way contract and fight for a roster spot and only make $500,000 in the G League.
“You are seeing more players return to college because they can make more NIL money than they can in the G League. That is making college basketball older and making NBA play better because the plug and play players are all older.”
Peek doesn’t think one-and-done players will go away because the “NBA will always bet on youth and upside” for elite players.
“But the value for more experienced players is always way better now,” Peek said.
Peek believes the best thing that happened to Moreno was not making the USA U19 team that won a gold medal last summer.
“He went back to campus with a chip on shoulder and ready to go to work,” she said. “It’s exactly what we have seen with Chris Cenac at Houston. Sometimes players going through adversity is the best thing ever for them.”
ESPN analyst Jimmy Dykes liked that Moreno leads all SEC freshmen in offensive rebounds but also knows he has work to do to play in the NBA.
“He needs an offseason to work on his outside shot to get ready for the next level,” Dykes said.
Peek understands that Moreno – who had 11 points and 11 rebounds in UK’s loss at Florida – has benefitted from projected first-round draft pick Jayden Quaintance being out for all but four games this season as he recovers from a knee injury suffered last season.
“It was the next man up philosophy and Malachi took advantage of his opportunity,” Peek said.
Former UK All-American Kenny Walker, now a WLAP Radio UK analyst, believes Moreno still needs to be more physical.
“I would like to see Malachi hit the weights really hard in the summer and get more muscle,” Walker said. “He has to work on being meaner and tougher. Maybe bring in (former UK players) Winston Bennett or Jamal Magloire to work on being tough and not getting pushed around. That’s what he needs to make the next big step up.”