LEXINGTON, Ky. (KT) – Malachi Moreno is the first Kentucky player to declare for the NBA Draft this season.
In a social media post on Monday, Moreno announced his plans to test the waters and enter the NBA Draft.
“After a lot of prayer and after sitting down with my family and the people I trust the most, I’ve decided to take the next step in chasing my dream,” he said. “I will be entering the NBA Draft, while maintaining my eligibility. I’m looking forward to learning through this process, competing and continuing to develop my game as I evaluate what’s best for my future.”
If he opts to return to college, Moreno will remain with the Wildcats.
“Representing this state and wearing Kentucky across my chest is something I’ve never taken for granted,” he said. “If I’m back in college next season, it’ll be right here with Big Blue Nation.”
As a freshman, the 2025 Kentucky Mr. Basketball from Great Crossing in Scott County averaged 7.8 points per game and 6.3 rebounds per outing. Moreno played in 36 games and started in 30. He added a team-high 53 blocks and recorded 19 steals. He made the game-winning shot at the buzzer in a 75-74 win at LSU on Jan. 14.
Moreno was named to the All-Southeastern Conference All-Freshman Team.
“I think one of the best freshman in the country certainly has a big role on Kentucky’s team,” Texas coach Sean Miller said after his team’s 85-80 loss to the Wildcats this season.
Following Kentucky’s 82-63 loss to Iowa State in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, Kentucky coach Mark Pope said next year’s roster rebuild would be centered around Moreno and others on last year’s squad.
“You’re starting a first-year center and a first-year power forward and a sophomore No. 2 guard,” he said. “It wasn’t the plan coming into the season, but it’s what we ended up with, and those guys have gained some great experience, and they’re going to get better and better and better. We’ll start there and kind of build out from there. We’ve done this for two years, and we’ll continue to do a good job at it.”