The Kentucky big man says conversations with family and his inner circle will help determine his future.
Kentucky basketball center Malachi Moreno is still deciding between returning for his sophomore season or staying in the 2026 NBA Draft.
When Moreno first announced he would test the draft waters, many assumed the Georgetown, Kentucky native would almost certainly come back to Lexington. Reports even suggested Moreno took a pay cut to remain at Kentucky rather than enter the transfer portal.
But after a breakout freshman year and growing NBA interest, that outcome is no longer seen as a sure thing.
Heading into last season, Moreno was projected as Kentucky’s third-string center behind Jayden Quaintance and Brandon Garrison. Instead, Quaintance played just four games all year, and Moreno seized a major role, becoming one of the Wildcats’ biggest surprises.
He averaged 7.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.5 blocks per game while shooting 58.2% from the floor. Moreno appeared in all 36 games, started 30, and averaged 22.6 minutes per contest.
“This is my dream, to be in the NBA, so I am looking at it with my best foot forward,” Moreno told CBS Sports’ Isaac Trotter. “Obviously, I left the option on the table to go back to college if I could. Right now, all this leading into the decision is just how these next couple of weeks go. I know I have until the 27th to make that decision, and I will just have a lot of talks with my brother because he is probably going to be the most important factor in this decision, talks with my family, talks with my inner circle, and seeing what is the best decision for me at the time.”
Moreno also explained why he chose not to take part in scrimmages at the NBA Draft Combine.
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