Malachi Moreno Withdraws from NBA Draft, Returns to Kentucky for Sophomore Year

*TL;DR: No. 2 national center Malachi Moreno exits the NBA draft and returns to Kentucky, where he posted 6.3 rebounds and 1.47 blocks per game as a freshman.*

Context Kentucky’s 6‑foot‑11, 243‑pound big man announced on social media Sunday that he will forgo the 2025 NBA draft and re‑enroll for his sophomore campaign. The decision ends speculation that he might become the program’s next one‑and‑done lottery pick.

Key Facts - Moreno entered the season as the nation’s No. 2 ranked center and the top prospect in Kentucky’s 2025 recruiting class. - He started 30 of 36 games, leading the Wildcats in both rebounds (6.3 per game) and blocks (1.47 per game). His block rate ranked eighth in the SEC, the conference that includes schools such as Kentucky, Florida and South Carolina. - Moreno recorded three double‑doubles, shot 58.2% from the field (96‑of‑165), and posted a career‑high five blocks in a win over Texas. - He earned Freshman of the Week honors on March 2 after averaging 9.5 points and 8.5 rebounds in consecutive victories. - At season’s end, he was named to the SEC All‑Freshman team.

What It Means Kentucky retains its most highly rated interior player, preserving a core that could contend for the conference title and a deep NCAA tournament run. Coach Mark Pope gains a proven rim protector and rebounder for a second year, allowing the Wildcats to build continuity rather than replace Moreno with a freshman recruit. For NBA scouts, Moreno’s withdrawal adds a year of development before his draft stock can be reassessed, likely pushing his eligibility to the 2026 draft.

*Watch the Wildcats’ preseason schedule for early indicators of how Moreno’s sophomore growth translates into team performance and whether his draft projection climbs in the coming months.*