By: Casey Madison (X/BleedBlueCasey) | Phot by Chet White. UK Athletics
It’s no secret that the Georgetown Kentucky native Malachi Moreno has grown up with Big Blue Nation in his blood, attending tons of games, and idolizing Kentucky greats, hoping he can leave a long-lasting impact like many in the past have. After a standout high school career and winning a state championship on the same court he now calls home, Moreno (#27/247) is stepping into his freshman season at Kentucky ready to take on the weight of expectations any player receives when playing at a such with such a rich history behind it.
“There’s a standard here at Kentucky, and that’s to be the best. Being a local guy, I feel like growing up, you kind of understand what the assignment is … But it’s also new territory.”
Though he’s just getting started, Moreno’s focus is already clear: winning banner number 9. It’s a message that’s been echoed by teammates, coaches, and now the local big man with a chance to make his own mark on the program’s storied legacy.
“As long as we all have the same mindset of winning number nine, I think we’re in really good shape.”
Malachi Moreno. Brandon Garrison. Zach Tow. Kentucky Men’s Basketball Practice | Photo by Chet White. UK Athletics
From the start of the summer workouts, Malachi Moreno has been encouraged by how quickly this Kentucky team of many new faces has meshed together:
“We’ve gelled together in the short amount of time we’ve had. I really think we have 12-13 [maybe] 15 guys that could start any game, to be honest.”
As the young big man is adjusting to the collegiate game, Moreno is leaning heavily on his teammates for guidance — specifically Brandon Garrison, who has stepped into the mentorship role after learning from Amari Williams last season. He was easily one of the most important pieces to Kentucky’s Sweet 16 run last season, transferring from Drexel to Kentucky, to just a year later being a second-round NBA draft pick.
“Brandon Garrison has been a good teacher and a great teammate. He’s helping me with terminology and teaching moments … If I mess up, he teaches me on it. Right now we’re in a teaching period.”
The adjustment from high school to college hasn’t been without its bumps. He acknowledged the physicality and the pace of the college games are drastically different, and it takes some time getting used to it and adjusting.
“There’s always going to be somebody who’s bigger or stronger than you. But it’s really about who wants it more.”
This is the type of mindset that has guided him through many early practices, where he says his confidence has grown as he’s adapted.
“My confidence is at an all-time high when I have goals set in my mind. I’m here to get better. I’m here to win a banner.”
Moreno has also seen the benefit of early on-court experience with Kentucky head coach Mark Pope. Earlier in July, Pope served as an on-court coach in Colorado, helping out and evaluating players for the U19 USA team, which eventually went on to win the gold medal in Switzerland.
It was kind of almost like a cheat code with Coach [Pope] being there. Being able to get a real look at how he coaches … He’s such an easy coach to play for. He’s a big teacher, and i’m here to be a sponge.”
That “teaching period” has included working on and expanding his offensive game, particularly being a better passer and creator out of the post, and developing consistency with his shot.
Coach loves a passing big man. In high school, I was more of a passer than a scorer … Now i’m tweaking a few things on my jump shot, but it’s been going very well.”
There have been some significant improvements, even going back to last season: hitting some important three-points in his state tournament run, and a couple at the U19 USA Training Camp before being sidelined due to an injury. Maybe he’s not a true floor-stretching give man just yet, but he’s getting there.
Mark Fox. Malachi Moreno. Kentucky Men’s Basketball Practice | Photo by Chet White. UK Athletics
Malachi Moreno joins fellow Kentuckyian Jasper Johnson (and hopefully more recruits in the future) of what’s growing to become a pipeline of in-state talent finding their way to Lexington.
“A lot of people say Kentucky doesn’t produce NBA Talent … Now people are starting to see, if you’re from Kentucky, as long as you want it, you can go get it.”
Being from Georgetown is a pretty short drive from Rupp Arena, and Malachi knows how much the opportunity means, not just for him, but also for his community.
“I’m from Kentucky, i’m here to represent my city, but also where i’m from. Being able to play for Kentucky, while being from Kentucky, it’s a great honor to have.”
He grew up idolizing players like Anthony Davis, and cheered on memorable runs like the 2012 national championship team. And yeah, there were also moments that probably left a scar on him like the rest of us… Particularly the Wisconsin game back in 2015, but it all helped shaped his dream:
“That’s really going to hit me,” Moreno said of the moment he finally gets to put on the Kentucky jersey. “Once I see ‘Kentucky’ and the number 24 with ‘Moreno” on the back, that’s going to be a real sentimental moment for me.”
With his USA Basketball experience behind him, cut by that short minor hip strain he says is now fully recovered, Malachi Moreno is now locked in on the assignment, and the goal that all Kentucky fans want to hear:
“I got one goal and one goal only, and that’s to win number nine,” he said. “Whether I play five minutes or 25, as a long we’re winning, I could care less.”
He’s getting there by doing the little things: learning from veterans, adapting to the speed, improving his physicality, and soaking in every lesson from the coaching staff. And trust me, Malachi Moreno is going to be way more impactful than some people may envision.
With so many new faces and expectations for Mark Pope’s second year at Kentucky, there are still plenty of question and unknowns. But for Malachi Moreno, the mission is as clear as it can be, and he’s ready to help lead Kentucky back to true national relevancy.
We understand what the assignment is here. That’s to win, that’s to hang BANNERS.”
Malachi Moreno and Deandre Liggins. Kentucky Men’s Basketball Practice with LaFamilia TBT. | Photo by Caleb Bowlin. UK Athletics
