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Malachi Moreno, The Future Kentucky Big Man

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1 year ago

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Top 2025 center Malachi Moreno has committed to play for Mark Pope and the Kentucky Wildcats.
UK Athletics

On Friday, March 28, the Kentucky Wildcats’ season ended after the Tennesee Volunteers routed them by double-digits in the Sweet Sixteen.

One of the main reasons the Wildcats lost that game was due to their poor rebounding, more specifically, their offensive rebounding. 

The Vols grabbed 14 offensive rebounds, doubling the amount Kentucky had. 

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Although Amari Williams did his part on the boards all year, averaging 8.5 rebounds per game, Kentucky will have to replace the center with another glass cleaner, who can also chip in offensively.

Lucky for Big Blue Nation, he’s already been replaced. 

Malachi Moreno, the 6-foot-11 center from Georgetown, Kentucky, committed to Head Coach Mark Pope and the University of Kentucky on Aug. 16, 2024. Ranking as the top player in the state for the class of 2025, and as a top three overall center in the country, Moreno showcased why he’s so highly regarded in this year’s KHSAA Sweet Sixteen tournament. 

He averaged 15.5 rebounds in Great Crossing’s four state tournament games this past week, to go along with 21 points per game and 4.3 blocks per game.

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Moreno helped Great Crossing win its first ever KHSAA Kentucky High School State Championship on March 29, where he tallied another double-double with 24 points and 15 rebounds. He won the MVP award for the entire tournament.

With a true sign of character, he jumped into his school’s student section to celebrate a historical championship win in Lexington. 

The very next morning, he immediately jumped on a plane to attend the McDonald’s All-American Game alongside fellow Kentucky signee Jasper Johnson in Brooklyn, New York.

The big man followed up Travis Perry as the second straight UK signee to be named Kentucky Mr. Basketball and to win the state title before they touch the court as a Wildcat the following year.

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The young star was sought after by a number of schools, choosing the Wildcats over Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa, Louisville, North Carolina, Notre Dame and Ohio State. 

When he committed to the Wildcats, he was quoted comparing himself to Kentucky’s finest.

”I would probably compare myself to Anthony Davis or Karl Anthony-Towns,” said Moreno. “Those are some of the guys I try to model my game after.” 

Pope spoke highly of Moreno, and told UK Athletics why he fits the mold of a Kentucky superstar.

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”He has a ferocity around the rim in terms of ball protection and he is willing to engage physically,” said Pope. “He is going to grow into an elite-level shooter, and, more important than all of those incredible things, is that he gets a little teary-eyed when he walks into Rupp Arena because he knows what this place is.” 

Moreno later added on what it means to be a Wildcat.

“Growing up in Kentucky, you always wanted to put on that Kentucky uniform,” said Moreno. “Just being able to go there and wear ‘Kentucky’ across my chest means the world to me.”

When one door opens, another closes. Moreno, Great Crossing Head Coach Billy Hicks, and his team were forced to reflect on the journey they’ve experienced.

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”I mean, my goodness, six years of our program, to be able to celebrate a state title is absolutely an unbelievable accomplishment,” said Hicks. ”When I got this job, I was at Scott County Middle School before and both Malachi and Gage played for me when they were sixth graders.”

Moreno was asked about playing on Rupp Arena’s court once again, and if he had given any thought about being in a Wildcat jersey sooner, rather than later.

“It’s definitely a surreal moment,” said Moreno. “I wanted to end my high school career on this floor holding a big ole trophy. I know it wasn’t my last time on this floor, but it was my last time in a Great Crossing uniform.”

Quoting Kentucky’s Andrew Carr with a smile, Moreno jokingly said “Coach, you’re gonna have a hard time getting this jersey from me.”

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His high school career was nothing short of spectacular, breaking numerous school records such as most points in a single game and winning the school’s first ever championship.

Now, with his glory days behind him, Moreno will set foot inside of Rupp Arena very soon, but this time, as a Kentucky Wildcat. 

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Men's Basketball

Star Forward Milan Momcilovic Chooses Kentucky Over Louisville and Arizona

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1 day ago

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June 1, 2026

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Photo via AOL

The wait is over BBN!

Milan Momcilovic has officially announced that he will be playing his senior year of college basketball at Kentucky, suiting up in the blue and white for Mark Pope and the Wildcats!

The 6-foot-8 wing averaged 16.9 points per game in the 2025-26 season, leading the nation in 3-pointers made (136) and percentage from deep (48.7%).

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Momcilovic is mostly ranked as No. 2 in most portal rankings, but ESPN has the former Cyclone as the No. 1 overall player. With that being said, this technically serves as Pope’s first No. 1 transfer during his tenure at Kentucky.

Pulling his name out of the 2026 NBA Draft on Wednesday, May 27, Kentucky was seemingly the favorite to land the wing during the entire sweepstakes due to positional need, scheme fit and money available to spend. He could even play another year with the Kentucky Wildcats if the “5-in-5” rule is passed and he forgoes the draft again.

Putting Pat Kelsey in a locker and outbidding him on a recruit is always great for morale, but this fills the much-needed star spot for next year’s roster. Pope and his staff have shaped the team with plenty of skilled players, but Momcilovic adds that extra layer of shooting and will serve as the go-to guy when a game may be on the line.

This will be the final player added to the 2026-27 team, with an insert at the starting small forward position in Momcilovic’s future. Pope and the Big Blue Nation have their guy, and soon enough, we’ll see the Pewaukee, Wisconsin native on Rupp Arena’s court.

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Men's Basketball

National Reporter Matt Norlander Chooses Kentucky as Landing Spot for Star Forward Milan Momcilovic

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6 days ago

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May 28, 2026

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Photo via Imagn Images

The Milan Momcilovic sweepstakes is underway, with multiple teams involved in the No. 2 overall transfer player’s recruitment. It is believed that Kentucky and Louisville are the top candidates after his decision to pull out from the 2026 NBA Draft on Wednesday, May 27.

Along with the in-state rivals, Arizona and St. John’s are both very well still in the mix, but the Red Storm are slowly falling out of contention after landing Baylor’s Tounde Yessoufou.

On May 28, national reporter Matt Norlander cleared the air on CBS Sports’ Eye On College Basketball podcast, stating that he believes Kentucky will land Momcilovic by the end of the weekend or Monday.

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“My prediction right now is that Milan Momcilovic will go to Kentucky,” Norlander said. “My understanding is that decision is going to come in the next one, two, three days, four days max.”

He would go on to talk about the other top programs involved, stating why he thinks they will be working in an uphill battle in this bidding war.

“My forecast is that it’s Kentucky, but you know, we’ll see if Louisville can get in there,” he continued. “Arizona I don’t think has the money to contend, like I think Kentucky and Louisville just have more money to play with.”

For the worried members of the Big Blue Nation, this is certainly good news to be put out by one of the most trusted college basketball reporters at the national level.

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Going by this report and Adam Zagoria’s from NYT Sports, it shouldn’t be long until a commitment decision for Momcilovic is announced publicly.

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Men's Basketball

BREAKING: No. 2 Ranked Transfer Milan Momcilovic Removes Name From 2026 NBA Draft

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6 days ago

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May 27, 2026

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Kamil Krzaczynski | Imagn Images

Milan Momcilovic has officially removed his named from the 2026 NBA Draft and will return to college for his senior season.

Kentucky leads in his recruitment, followed closely by St. John’s, Louisville and Arizona. A backdoor to Iowa State is also still open.

The No. 2 ranked transfer would be a huge addition to Kentucky’s 2026-27 roster if he committed, averaging 16.9 points per game on 50.6/48.7/87.8 shooting splits last year. Funny enough, in the current world of college athletics that we live in, Momcilovic was responsible for eliminating the Wildcats from the NCAA Tournament, dropping 20 points in the Round of 32.

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He would go on to lose to Tennessee in the Sweet 16 with Iowa State, so at least we know that there’s some inner-hatred for a long-standing rival if he ends up a Wildcat.

He made the most three-point shots in Division I basketball and is a versatile 6-foot-8 wing, which would fit perfectly into Mark Pope’s offensive system. He completed workouts with the Chicago Bulls and Minnesota Timberwolves during the draft process.

Now, the bidding war for the top dog begins, with some of the most prestigious programs in the sport placing their bets on the star forward.

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