When Kentucky basketball’s Malachi Moreno first announced he was testing the NBA Draft waters, most fans and analysts assumed it was simply a way to gather feedback on areas for improvement during his sophomore college season. However, the five-star freshman might have a different plan in mind—and it appears NBA teams share that perspective.
Following a workout with the New York Knicks, who hold the 24th overall pick, it was revealed that Moreno will skip the 5-on-5 scrimmages at the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago. Typically, sitting out those drills isn’t seen as a strong sign that a player intends to return to college, though much could change before the end of May.
Some prospects, like Alex Karaban, go through the combine and still return to school. Others, such as Zach Edey, opted out shortly before deciding to remain in the draft. Predicting the outcome is tricky and often depends on the individual player.
Two notable examples are Michigan’s Hunter Dickinson and Florida’s Alex Condon, both of whom skipped the 5-on-5 portion and ultimately went back to college. Condon’s case, in particular, mirrors the scenario Kentucky fans hope Moreno will follow.
Following the Alex Condon Blueprint
After a breakout sophomore year with the Gators, Condon was widely expected to leave for the NBA. His decision to return and further develop was a major surprise. He then made another significant leap in both statistics and draft stock—exactly the path Kentucky should map out for Moreno.
Although transfer big man Franck Kepnang was recently granted a seventh year of eligibility in Lexington due to his lengthy injury history, Moreno leaving for the NBA would leave the Wildcats’ frontcourt dangerously thin for SEC competition. Most of Kentucky’s roster is built around “small-ball” lineups, with only overseas prospect Ousmane N’Diaye and Kepnang standing over 6-foot-9. If Moreno (No. 24) departs, Kentucky would need to find another big man.
A Hotly Contested Position
To make matters worse, the center position has been one of the most competitive and heavily recruited spots across college basketball this offseason. Moreno’s physical tools and potential as a five could entice an NBA team to take a chance on him at almost any point in the draft.
Yes, Moreno has areas to improve his hands need work, along with his rebounding consistency and paint presence. But he’s known as a hard worker who plays his role with a straightforward, no-excuses attitude. Players like that tend to develop into successful pros.
While past trends might suggest Moreno is leaning toward the NBA, it’s far from a certainty. The combine wraps up on May 17th, and after that, we should have a clearer picture of how this situation in Lexington will ultimately unfold.
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