Everyone saw the flashes at Kentucky’s Pro Day — the size, the touch, the confidence. But now that practices are in full swing, one freshman big man is proving that performance wasn’t a one-time thing. The coaches can’t stop raving about how dominant he’s been, and even Mark Pope admits he’s seeing things he didn’t expect this early. It’s becoming clear that what we saw under the bright lights was just the beginning — let’s dive in and see what’s really happening in Lexington.
Kentucky fans already knew Malachi Moreno was good, but few expected him to look this ready, this soon. Assistant coach Cody Fueger said it best — the 7-foot freshman has been a shock in the best way possible.
“The guy that kind of surprised me right from day one of summer was Malachi,” Fueger told the Herald-Leader. “I’d watched him with AAU last year and thought I knew what to expect. But then day one, I was like, ‘Oh my gosh!’”
At 7 feet and 250 pounds, Moreno isn’t just big — he’s skilled, composed, and way ahead of schedule. The 2025 Kentucky Mr. Basketball winner and McDonald’s All-American has been turning heads since arriving on campus this summer, showing the same energy that helped Great Crossing High School storm to a state title.
During his senior year, Moreno was a force — averaging 21.5 points, 14.9 rebounds, and 3.6 blocks per game, while shooting an absurd 72% from the field. He led Great Crossing to a dominant run through the Sweet 16, winning every game by double digits and sealing the championship with a 24-point, 15-rebound performance.
Now, that same dominance is showing up in Kentucky practices. Head coach Mark Pope couldn’t hide his excitement at SEC Media Days. “He’s one of those guys who does things that make you shake your head,” Pope said. “You think you know who you recruited — and then he’s out there showing you even more.”
Fueger added that the most surprising part of Moreno’s game isn’t his power — it’s his IQ. “His IQ — that’s probably surprised me the most,” Fueger said. “He’s seeing plays and reacting like a veteran.”
So if anyone thought Moreno’s strong Pro Day showing was just beginner’s luck, think again. The freshman big man is backing it up day after day — proving that Kentucky might already have its next frontcourt star.
And the wildest part? This is only the start of his story in Lexington.
