One could practically feel people nationwide agreeing earlier this week when Kentucky's...Mark PopeHe was questioned about his initial thoughts on one of the Wildcats' much-touted first-year players.
It's a delicate balance that nearly every coach faces when nurturing a McDonald's All-American player.
“Malachi MorenoIt's going to be a blast," Pope mentioned on Monday during his summer Q&A at the Craft Center. "We anticipate having a great time with him. He's incredibly young and remarkably talented.
We'll witness times when he plays so well, you'd think he belongs in the NBA.right now, and we'll witness times when we might think, "I'm not convinced Malachi fully understands his actions." We'll experience both sides of this, which is the essence of progress."
MorenoA 6-foot-11 center hailing from Great Crossing High School in Georgetown, Kentucky, is considered a four-star recruit and the top player in the nation at his position for the 2025 class.
After a final high school year where he posted averages of 21.5 points, 14.9 rebounds, 3.6 blocks, and 3.5 assists, Moreno was named "Mr. Basketball" in Kentucky, achieved McDonald's All-American recognition, and received an invitation to join USA Basketball's Under-19 training camp in Colorado with another future UK player.Jasper Johnson.
He's one piece of a Kentucky team boasting a frontcourt that's both stacked and skilled, featuring a seasoned player as well.Brandon Garrison, transfer portal additions Jayden Quaintance, Mouhamed Dioubate, Kam Williams, and Reece Potter, including first-year studentsBraydon Hawthorne and Andrija Jelavic.
No rush
This suggests Pope can afford to take his time nurturing Moreno, unlike the accelerated development timelines seen with many recent Kentucky post players.
The young athlete understands that improvement will take time.
It's taken some getting used to, for sure," Moreno commented at a Q&A session at the Craft Center on Thursday. "…There have been good times and bad, but I'm more confident now than I've ever been.
He admits that the pace of college basketball and the strength of athletes such as Dioubate and Garrison have been a real revelation. Despite gaining weight, going from 210 pounds in high school to 230 pounds at the University of Kentucky, he acknowledges that he's still learning to utilize his physique effectively, which is understandable given the experience of the veteran players.
While he was at Great Crossing, his coach frequently had him play away from the basket. The coach felt that constantly overpowering opponents near the hoop in practice wasn't preparing him for the challenges he'd face later in his career.
Moreno is now unexpectedly up against opponents who are larger and more powerful than him. Simply being nearly seven feet in height isn't sufficient anymore.
He stated that, in many instances, the deciding factor is simply which competitor possesses a greater desire to win. He added that this is "...a mental thing as much as physical."
Garrison becomes mentor
Moreno appreciates the chance to go up against Garrison, a towering 6-foot-10, 250-pound player. Garrison has assumed a "mentor" position, similar to the one Amari Williams held for him last year before being drafted by the Boston Celtics this past summer.
He commented that "BG" has been a major motivator for him. He described "BG" as both an excellent instructor and a fantastic colleague, adding that "BG" consistently encourages him to improve. He believes that their style of play will allow "BG" to significantly contribute to his achievements.
It's also beneficial to play for a coach like Pope, who has experience as a prominent college and professional player.
Moreno commented that during skill-specific group sessions, the coach joins the larger players to focus on their techniques, acting as a true instructor. He added, "I believe my performance with my back to the basket has improved, as has my ability to leverage my physical strength effectively."
I'm simply planning to absorb everything I hear.
He's receiving an equal amount of guidance away from the game.
Moreno characterized Pope as not only a basketball coach, but also a paternal influence. He noted that Pope consistently inquired about his well-being and offered assistance in any way possible.
Representing BBN
As a celebrated hometown talent, Moreno is especially aware of the pressure to fulfill his great promise while playing for the Cats.
When questioned regarding his objectives for his first year at the University of Kentucky, he gave a brief and direct answer.
Moreno stated that his sole objective is to secure the ninth championship, regardless of whether he plays for a short five minutes or a longer 25 minutes. He added, "Kentucky has a tradition of striving for excellence."
His passion is driven by the Big Blue Nation, a community he's belonged to since childhood. He enthusiastically listed iconic players such as John Wall, Anthony Davis, and Karl-Anthony Towns, and like any devoted BBN member, he can recount some of the most heartbreaking moments in UK basketball history that he's witnessed.
He's really looking forward to his first chance to play at Rupp Arena as a Wildcat.
It'll probably sink in once I actually see Moreno wearing No. 24 for Kentucky," he stated. "...I'm dedicated to representing my hometown.
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