Today we got our first media opportunity to talk to some of the returning Kentucky men’s basketball players to see what they’ve been up to all spring. We spoke to newcomer Mason Williams, returnee Reece Potter, and the expected team captain of this year’s squad, Malachi Moreno.

Malachi spent the month of May going through the NBA Draft and working out for front office executives to receive feedback before ultimately returning back to college for another year. He worked out for many programs, some including the New York Knicks, the Miami Heat, and the Los Angeles Clippers.

“I was able to learn a lot. And I think going through that process was definitely beneficial for me, because, at the end of the day, I decided to come back, and now, I can bring what I learned in that process back to Kentucky and just add it all to my game.”

Working out for multiple teams and meeting with many more, he received all kinds of feedback on what they like about him but also what else he needs to work on to improve his draft stock for the 2027 NBA Draft. So, what did they tell him?

“Just that my body and my mind are my two strongest aspects,” said Moreno. “Once I can get those in shape, then I’ll be in better shape for the rest.”

Malachi told reporters that while he spent last season bulking up, he has actually shedded wait this offseason, having lost around ten pounds up to this point. He says that he put on last year’s weight in the “wrong way” and he wanted to start back over and put it back on the right way this summer.

“No more eating (Raising) Canes, I guess. No more Taco Bell,” he smiled while mentioning.

During his time navigating the draft in Chicago, Mark Pope was in the middle of his weekly cameo videos answering questions from the BBN. Responding to a question from a fan, he claimed that Malachi could be the best big man in all of college basketball next year.

“Malachi was the number one priority for us going into this portal season. We think he is going to be the best center in all of college basketball next year here at Kentucky.”

Malachi, who was expected to come back for a sophomore season all along, heard that message from afar and was asked today on how that made him feel knowing he had that kind of support waiting for him back at home while he was out chasing his professional dreams.

“One hundred percent. That was one of the main key things he (Pope) kept pushing towards me as I was going through the process was that he believes that I can be the best center in the country and be an All-American type big and improve my stock in the process. Just hearing that, and the way he threw me in the fire early last year really propelled me forward and, I think, being able to come back and now with him holding me to a different standard I think it’s just making me so much better.”

The Georgetown native spent his first season as a Wildcat with a much higher contribution rate that many expected he would have had going into the season, starting 30 total games for the program. His freshman campaign averaged 7.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.5 blocks a game and all of those should increase this year as he becomes the go-to guy on the team.

He has been tabbed as the leader of this group and unofficially the team captain for this new team. He’s grown up around this program, he’s grown through this program, and he will help grow this program going forward.

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