Malachi Moreno will undoubtedly be one of Mark Pope’s key players in the 2026-27 season as Kentucky begin their rebuild to get back to the top of the SEC. While Pope has brought in other top talent during the off season, the return of Moreno could prove to be the difference as the Wildcats make their big push once the season gets going.
The towering teenager gave the Big Blue Nation (BBN) something to cheer about when he came back to Kentucky after withdrawing from the NBA draft. However, he returned to a new-look side minus some of his teammates from the last campaign. And that according to Moreno, does feel a little weird.
“It’ll definitely be weird,” he said. “That was my first year in college last year, some of my best friends.
“Definitely be a little weird seeing BG (Brandon Garrison) at (Ala)Bama or Mo (Dioubate) at LSU…at the end of the day, I wear Kentucky and they wear something else. They’re not us and you gotta put them down.”
Who Are Moreno’s New Teammates?
While Malachi Moreno undoubtedly walked back into a familiar setup at Kentucky, there will be some new faces for him to team up with this season. Perhaps the most recognizable of them all will be Milan Momcilovic, who joined Kentucky after withdrawing from the draft himself, and choosing to join the Wildcats in what is rumored to be a deal worth more than $6 Million.
Young Ryan Hampton is another new face around campus as he was recruited by Mark Pope in recent months, but it appears there could still be more, with Kentucky heavily linked with Serbian starlet, Nikola Kusturica, as the team from Lexington plans to add some more fire power in time for the new season.
Read more:
UNC’s Caleb Wilson Drops 3-Word Snipe for Jon Scheyer’s Duke
Labaron Philon Jr. NBA Draft Projection: 3 Potential Landing Spots for Alabama Guard
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in baseball, tennis, college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
