When Malachi Moreno decided to return to Kentucky instead of staying in the NBA Draft, expectations immediately rose around the sophomore center.
The former Great Crossing standout had already shown plenty of promise as a freshman, averaging 7.8 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. But returning for another season meant taking on a much bigger role for Mark Pope’s Wildcats.
According to Pope, Moreno did not exactly have the ideal start to that process.
During Kentucky’s preseason media day Monday, Pope revealed that he was frustrated with Moreno during the first several weeks of summer workouts.
“Malachi knows this: The first four weeks of the summer, I was really frustrated with Malachi,” Pope said. “I felt like we were stuck in molasses, and then there was a little bit of stubbornness, and we were kind of fighting with it.”
Moreno admitted that he was struggling to respond to Pope’s coaching the way he needed to.
“I was just being stubborn,” Moreno said. “(Pope) tried to give it to me in an easy way, and I wasn’t hearing it the right way.”
A meeting involving Moreno, Pope and Moreno’s brother ultimately became a turning point.
“Ever since then, I’ve never looked back,” Moreno said.
The difference since that meeting has apparently been significant.
Pope described Moreno’s development during the second half of the summer and into fall practice as “almost unrecognizable,” particularly when it comes to the skill set he is bringing to the floor.
Moreno also understands that his body needs to be ready for a much more demanding sophomore season in the SEC.
“Last year, you could see in games, I was getting thrown around and getting tired super easily,” Moreno said. “I can’t be that way anymore. I can’t be getting tired in two-minute spurts. I can’t be getting thrown around in the paint.”
Kentucky’s new-look roster should give him plenty of competition in practice. The Wildcats have 7-foot Washington transfer Franck Kepnang, listed at 270 pounds, providing a physical matchup for Moreno every day.
Kepnang has noticed the transformation.
“Malachi is a beast,” Kepnang said. “He’s been on the glass. He’s been an anchor for the team. He’s been hitting, reading the right read every single time. He’s sprinting the floor. He’s blocking shots.”
Pope has also seen major improvements in Moreno’s interior scoring, quickness and rim protection. He recently pointed to a scrimmage in which Moreno recorded three assists during the first four minutes, another sign of his development as a passer.
After returning from the NBA Draft, Moreno was expected to become one of Kentucky’s central pieces. The addition of Iowa State transfer Milan Momcilovic gives the Wildcats another proven offensive option, but Pope still expects Moreno to embrace a leadership role.
“He’s taken on a leadership role where our guys see him as a leader and a veteran on this team,” Pope said. “So he’s grown in a lot of ways, and he is a really important piece of this team in our success.”
The frustrating beginning to Moreno’s summer may ultimately become an important part of his development. If his recent progress continues, Kentucky could be getting a significantly more physical, versatile and confident version of the sophomore center when the season begins.
