UK Freshman Malachi Moreno Earns 2025 Mr. Kentucky Basketball Award

The Kentucky Lions Eye Foundation officially announced Moreno as the 2025 Mr. Kentucky Basketball on March 16, 2025. The award was presented during a statewide ceremony that also honored Zakiyah Johnson of Sacred Heart as Miss Basketball. The selection process involved votes from coaches, media members, and past winners, all of whom recognized Moreno’s exceptional impact on the game and his leadership throughout the season.

Moreno is the third straight Mr. Basketball winner to commit to the University of Kentucky, following Reed Sheppard in 2023 and Travis Perry in 2024. His commitment to the Wildcats in August 2024 was a major recruiting victory for first-year head coach Mark Pope, who praised Moreno as one of the top big men in the country. Moreno officially signed with Kentucky in November and enrolled in June 2025, beginning his next chapter in Lexington.

Known for his shot-blocking, rebounding, and ability to finish around the rim, Moreno also showcased an evolving perimeter game, including mid-range shooting and high-post passing. His size and skill set make him an ideal fit for Coach Pope’s system, which emphasizes ball movement, spacing, and versatility.

Earning the Mr. Basketball award only cements Moreno’s legacy as one of Kentucky’s elite high school players. Now, with his high school accolades behind him, he’s set to make an impact at the college level. Wildcat fans have every reason to be excited about the future, as Moreno prepares to take his talent from Georgetown to the national stage in Lexington.