Malachi Moreno doesn’t have to look far for a sounding board when he needs advice as he embarks on his first season at Kentucky.
Moreno’s brother, Michael, enjoyed a stellar collegiate career at Eastern Kentucky University and has already freely given advice to his younger brother.
“I talk to my brother every day,” Malachi said. “He's been very helpful. We watch film together, and he always talks about what I did, what I did good, but also what I can improve on.”
The support from Michael has motivated his brother to improve daily and the importance of staying in the moment.
“He's giving me something every day that I can come in the gym and work on, just to get one percent better every single day,” Moreno said. “He just kind of tells me take every day, take it one day at a time. College went by fast for him, and he wants to make sure that I enjoy every moment that I have since I'm at the University of Kentucky.”
Moreno added that his brother “gives it to me straight” and is appreciative of Michael’s input when it comes to his basketball career.
“Sometimes I don't want to hear it, but at the end of the day, I know it's all out of love, and just having him by my side through this entire journey is making everything go by so much easier,” he said.
Moreno, Kentucky’s reigning Mr. Basketball who led Great Crossing to the state title last season, had four points and grabbed nine rebounds in Kentucky’s Blue-White scrimmage last Saturday at Memorial Coliseum.
The Kentucky forward is still getting used to the “pace of the game” and will get his first unofficial test when the Wildcats play top-ranked Purdue in an exhibition game Friday night at Rupp Arena.
“The biggest adjustment is just getting used to the pace of the game, getting ready for physicality as well,” he said. “In high school, I was a lot bigger than other people, so it was a little bit easier. But now coming to college, you know, everybody's kind of my size, and it's just a new a new environment that I have to adapt to and it's been going very well.”
Kentucky coach Mark Pope said Moreno’s presence has made a difference since his arrival last summer.
“He walked onto the court and was a presence from the very second he walked onto the court,” Pope said. “He’s going to have some growing pains because he’s a freshman, but his impact is incredible. I’m trying to remember … He’s in the high 70s to low 80s in terms of field goal percentage right now, and he’s our leading rebounder on the team.
“He just is a dominant force inside. His communication skills are growing. He’s got a chance to be really special in a list of bigs that have been incredible here at Kentucky.”
Moreno doesn’t mind the rebounding aspect of the game and has developed a reputation as one of the top rebounders on this year’s squad.
“I like the rebounding, just because you offensive rebounds that give us extra possession,” he said. “That extra possession could help you win in a one point game. Being able to really create space and just grab those extra rebounds to give us more possessions, I think that's a big focal point that I've had since I've been here. I’m just trying to find a way to make a difference.”
Malachi Moreno dribbles down the floor in a blue-white game last Friday night at Memorial Coliseum. (Les Nicholson)
