Malachi Moreno announced on social media that he will not enter the 2026 NBA Draft, opting instead to remain with the University of Kentucky for another season.
A Calculated Move for the Wildcats
The decision follows a freshman campaign in which Moreno transformed from a developmental backup into the team’s starting center, logging 30 starts across 36 appearances and posting averages of 7.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.5 blocks per game while shooting 58.2 percent from the field.
Coach Mark Pope praised the center’s potential, stating that Pope expects Moreno to become the best center in America when the 2026‑27 season tips off, a projection that aligns with the player’s own ambition to climb the draft board in 2027.
Moreno’s Instagram and Twitter posts revealed the withdrawal, which was timed just before the May 27 NCAA deadline for early entrants, underscoring the strategic calculus behind his choice to stay and develop further at Kentucky.
The move also reflects a broader trend within the Wildcats program, where sustained development under Pope’s leadership aims to restore the team’s national relevance and attract top talent for future seasons.