Good morning, BBN!<\/p>\n
Kentucky Basketball<\/a> center Malachi Moreno continues to weigh whether he will return to Kentucky for his sophomore season or remain in the 2026 NBA Draft.<\/p>\n When Moreno first announced he would test the NBA Draft waters, many believed the Georgetown, Kentucky native was almost certainly going to return to Lexington. Moreno reportedly even took a pay cut to return to Kentucky instead of entering the transfer portal.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n However, after a breakout freshman season and increasing NBA interest, that decision is no longer viewed as a guarantee.<\/p>\n Coming into last season, Moreno was expected to be Kentucky\u2019s third center behind Jayden Quaintance<\/a> and Brandon Garrison. Instead, Quaintance played only four games all season, while Moreno stepped into a major role and became one of Kentucky\u2019s biggest surprises.<\/p>\n Moreno averaged 7.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.5 blocks per game while shooting 58.2% from the field. He played in all 36 games and started 30 while averaging 22.6 minutes per contest.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is my dream, to be in the NBA, so I am looking at it with my best foot forward,\u201d Moreno tells Isaac Trotter of CBS Sports<\/a>. \u201cObviously, 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.\u201d<\/p>\n Moreno also explained why he decided not to participate in scrimmages at the NBA Draft Combine.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n \u201cAfter talks with my brother, like I said, my agent, they kind of just said that they thought that I was in a pretty good spot,\u201d Moreno said. \u201cI\u2019ve got Pro Day coming up after this, after the week is over in L.A., and they want me to be full strength for that. Then I\u2019ve got a couple more workouts after that that are getting set up.\u201d<\/p>\n When discussing whether he would need first-round draft status to remain in the draft, Moreno said he is still evaluating everything.<\/p>\n \u201cObviously, I would love to be a first-round pick. That would be great,\u201d Moreno said. \u201cI\u2019ve got two weeks before I\u2019ve got to make any kind of decision, so I am kind of talking with my inner circle and seeing what the best decision is.\u201d<\/p>\n Kentucky fans will be anxiously awaiting to hear if he\u2019ll spend one more year in Lexington.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Tweet of the Day<\/p>\n Convincing Momcilovic to withdraw and come to Kentucky should be priority 1 for this coaching staff.<\/p>\n Headlines<\/p>\n Kyle Wiltjer hopes UK fans are excited about Ousmane N\u2019Diaye \u2013 Vaughts Views<\/a><\/p>\n The former Cat had a lot of good things to say about the incoming Cat.<\/p>\n UK shortstop Tyler Bell projected to go in top 20 of MLB Draft \u2013 SI<\/a><\/p>\n The draft is just under two months away.<\/p>\n How former UK Football players fared in spring ball at new locations \u2013 Herald Leader<\/a><\/p>\n Arizona State has yet to name Cutter Boley as starting quarterback.<\/p>\n UK Football expanding recruiting net into 2028 \u2013 Cats Pause<\/a><\/p>\n Some really solid prospects on this list.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Kentucky is a finalist for blue-chip DL \u2013 KSR<\/a><\/p>\n This would be a big pickup.<\/p>\n CBS ranks Kentucky Football 58th in the nation \u2013 CBS Sports<\/a><\/p>\n Next-to-last in the SEC.<\/p>\n Will LeBron return to L.A.? \u2013 ESPN<\/a><\/p>\n Not a simple decision, it seems.<\/p>\n Could former Cats be involved in a trade for Giannis? \u2013 SB Nation<\/a><\/p>\n It seems like the Greek Freak\u2019s time in Milwaukee could be coming to an end.<\/p>\n Schaefer unanimously voted NHL Rookie of the Year \u2013 Bleacher Report<\/a><\/p>\n Well-deserved.<\/p>\n