Coming into the season, the focus in Lexington was clear: Jayden Quaintance was the headliner. The 7-footer arrived with NBA buzz already trailing him, and despite some injury setbacks, scouts never stopped circling.
Kentucky fans expected he’d be a one-and-done. That part of the script was written.
But here’s the twist no one saw coming-Malachi Moreno is crashing the party.
While the spotlight shined on Quaintance, Moreno has been steadily climbing draft boards, turning heads with a mix of size, feel, and efficiency that’s becoming impossible to ignore. Now, it’s not just one Kentucky big man drawing NBA attention-it’s two. And both could be gone by summer.
Moreno didn’t arrive on campus with the same lottery-pick expectations. He wasn’t penciled in as a one-and-done.
But the way he’s played? He’s forcing scouts to reevaluate-and fast.
Multiple national outlets now have him firmly in the first-round mix. FanSided ranks him 20th overall, highlighting his combination of size, strength, and agility.
That’s not just rare-it’s NBA-ready. SB Nation puts him at No.
- Sports Illustrated?
They’ve got him mocked to the Denver Nuggets at 28.
So what’s driving the rise?
Let’s start with the numbers. In just 22 minutes per game, Moreno is putting up 8.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks.
He’s shooting nearly 59% from the field-efficient, smart, and selective. He’s not trying to be something he’s not.
He plays within himself, understands his role, and executes it with precision.
But what really sets Moreno apart is the nuance in his game. Kentucky head coach Mark Pope said they recruited him for his passing ability, and that’s showing up on the stat sheet-1.7 assists per game from a 7-footer is no fluke.
That’s vision, timing, and trust. It’s the kind of skill that modern NBA offenses crave from their bigs, especially in a league that values ball movement and versatility from every position.
Defensively, Moreno checks all the boxes. He’s a legit rim protector who doesn’t just block shots-he alters them.
And he’s not a statue in the paint. He can hedge on ball screens, move his feet, and recover.
That lateral agility, paired with a reported 7-foot-2 wingspan, makes him a problem on both ends. He’s not just a rim runner-he’s a two-way contributor with upside.
Now, the elephant in the room: the three-point shot.
Moreno hasn’t hit one in college. In fact, he’s only attempted two.
In today’s NBA, where floor spacing is everything and stretch fives are the rage, that’s going to raise some eyebrows. But here’s the thing-there’s still a place in the league for a big who can defend, pass, rebound, and finish inside.
Especially one who moves the way Moreno does.
You can teach shooting. You can’t teach 7-foot agility and feel for the game.
So while Kentucky fans were mentally preparing to lose Quaintance after one year, they might need to double that emotional load. Moreno is making a strong case to join him in the draft-and it’s happening faster than anyone expected.
Mark Pope may have walked into this season thinking he’d need to replace one center. Now, he might be looking for two.