Malachi Moreno's NBA Draft decision came all the way down to the wire. While he didn't wait until the literal last moment, the Big Blue Nation spent most of the month of May worried that their hometown big man was leaving blue pastures for green ones; that somehow feels like the same metaphor.
You know how the rest of that story goes - we got our guy back. And already, before having even touched the floor in his second year with Kentucky, Moreno's draft stock is beginning to rise in the national eye.
In a recent mock, The Athletic's Sam Vecenie not only predicted Moreno in the 2027 NBA Draft lottery, but had him sliding all the way up to pick No. 11. That's a massive rise, even from the already inflated low-to-mid 20's range that he'd been generally projected in this year.
As Vecenie himself notes in the headline, this prediction is indeed "Way-too-early," but it's hard not be thrilled with the prospect of a second-year Moreno seeing this big a leap, even if it means we don't get him back for another run at Rupp Arena.
We're allowed to be a little selfish now and again, I believe.
Behind Moreno's Projected Rise
On Moreno's anticipated jump, Vecenie explained: "On the plus side, Moreno is a good shot-blocker and has potential to be a solid rim protector... he’s an excellent passer who averaged 1.8 assists per game and can act as something of a hub at the top of the key because of his comfort with the ball."
Moreno's passing may have been the most underrated aspect of his game at Kentucky and, in his sophomore season, Cats fans can certainly expect an expansion of that aspect in Mark Pope's preferred offense.
But it isn't good from Vecenie, who also noted that Moreno "needs to get stronger and more willing to play with physicality on the interior."
The good news is, that's required in the SEC. As Moreno steps into a starting five role from the very beginning of Kentucky's 2027-28 season - with no Brandon Garrison to threaten that authority and no Jayden Quaintance to potentially eclipse him - Moreno's constant physicality will be crucial to him successfully competing in college basketball's most physical conference.
As Moreno works on his frame this offseason, draft possibilities like these that would've seemed outlandish at this time last year suddenly appear entirely possible, if not probable.
Given good health and his own planned improvement, both on the floor and in the gym, Moreno has the potential to become Pope's first lottery pick ever. There could be no sweeter candidate than a player who bleeds blue to his core.
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