Kentucky already entered the summer with plenty of excitement surrounding its 2026-27 roster, but Malachi Moreno may have just given Wildcats fans another reason to believe this team has a much higher ceiling than initially expected.
The sophomore center has been turning heads with his development during summer workouts, particularly with his willingness and ability to step outside the paint and knock down three-point shots.
That may sound like a small addition to his game, but for Mark Pope and Kentucky, it could have major consequences.
Moreno was barely a perimeter shooter as a freshman. He attempted only three three-pointers all season and missed every one of them. His responsibilities were largely centered around the paint while sharing frontcourt minutes with Brandon Garrison and Jayden Quaintance.
This summer, however, Moreno appears to be showing a different side of his offensive game.
Moreno Is Giving Kentucky Something It Didn’t Have Before
The most encouraging part isn’t that Kentucky suddenly needs Moreno to become a high-volume three-point shooter.
It doesn’t.
His biggest strengths should continue to come from his interior scoring, rebounding, size and ability to establish himself around the basket.
But if Moreno can become a legitimate threat from beyond the arc, even on limited attempts, it could completely change how defenses approach Kentucky.
Opposing centers would have to think twice about camping in the paint. Help defenders could be forced to stay closer to the perimeter. That creates additional space for Kentucky’s guards and other frontcourt players to attack.
For an offense already loaded with shooting, that’s a frightening possibility.
The Timing Couldn’t Be Better for Mark Pope
Kentucky already has several players capable of making defenses pay from deep.
Milan Momcilovic gives the Wildcats an elite shooting option, while Alex Wilkins and Kam Williams provide additional perimeter threats.
Now imagine adding a center who can occasionally step outside and punish a defense for giving him space.
That doesn’t necessarily make Moreno the centerpiece of Kentucky’s perimeter attack. Instead, it gives Pope another wrinkle he can use when opponents try to take away Kentucky’s primary shooters.
The result could be an offense with very few comfortable defensive assignments.
Moreno’s Development Could Raise Kentucky’s Ceiling
There’s an important distinction between Moreno becoming a three-point shooter and simply becoming a center who can shoot.
Kentucky doesn’t need him firing away from deep every night.
The ideal version of Moreno is still a player who establishes himself inside first. If defenses collapse, however, he can step outside and make them pay.
That versatility could be incredibly valuable.
It could also give Pope more flexibility with his frontcourt combinations as Justin McBride and Ousmane N’Diaye continue developing at the four.
Instead of worrying about spacing, Kentucky could use Moreno’s shooting ability to create it.
The Summer Signs Are What Matter Most
For a player who made only three three-point attempts last season, seeing Moreno confidently work from beyond the arc during live summer action is significant.
It’s still only summer basketball, and expectations should remain reasonable. Moreno hasn’t suddenly transformed into a proven three-point marksman.
But development often begins with exactly these kinds of flashes.
If his jumper continues progressing and becomes a dependable part of his offensive arsenal, Kentucky could have a center who forces opponents to defend the entire floor.
And that is where things could get really interesting for Mark Pope.
Moreno doesn’t need to become Kentucky’s next great shooter.
He simply needs to make defenses believe he can hurt them from outside.
If he does that while continuing to develop his interior game, Kentucky’s offense could become far more difficult to defend than anyone expected.
And if this summer version of Malachi Moreno carries into the season, Kentucky may have just discovered one of its most important weapons.
