Malachi Moreno, Braydon Hawthorne had some hard-hitting questions for Jasper Johnson

Photos of Jasper Johnson, Malachi Moreno, and Braydon Hawthorne via UK Athletics (Chet White and Marissa Gilchrist)

Over halfway through summer practices, it’s been business as usual for the Kentucky men’s basketball program, but that doesn’t mean the players can’t still have some fun along the way.

And that’s especially true for the three freshmen currently on campus. College is a brand-new experience for Jasper Johnson, Malachi Moreno, and Braydon Hawthorne. Johnson and Moreno have been in the spotlight as top 30 national recruits for multiple years now, but it’s tough to prepare for the grind of being at a Blue Blood until being thrown into the fire.

The adjustment process of going from playing against high school-level athletes to battling the likes of Otega Oweh and Mo Dioubate every single day isn’t ever going to be an easy one — and they all fully admitted as much during Thursday’s interviews with local media.

Freshmen are still freshmen, though. They’re enjoying the college experience just like any other student on campus. All three live together at the Wildcat Coal Lodge, a short walk from the Joe Craft Center where practices are held. Johnson and Moreno are even roommates — and they’re acting like it. Not even Jasper Johnson is free from a harmless prank or two.

Right before Thursday’s interview session wrapped up, Moreno and Hawthorne hopped into the media scrum as Johnson was finishing up his final thoughts. After very politely identifying themselves, Moreno and Hawthorne made sure to sneak in a couple of hard-hitting questions for their teammate at Johnson’s expense.

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“What’s it like rooming with Malachi at the lodge?” Moreno asked.

“Hasn’t been too good, honestly,” Johnson replied. “Last night, I’m peacefully sleeping in my room. Malachi lets the door open for a couple of teammates… They shoot me with water guns at like 11:30 at night. It’s cool though, I’m gonna get some get back for sure, but Malachi is just a weird roommate. I come in there, he’s always eating. Constantly, always.”

“I’ve got a question for you,” Hawthorne quickly added. “My name is Braydon Hawthorne. Who runs the third floor at the Lodge?”

“Who runs the third floor?” Johnson answered. “Honestly, I’ve never been to the third floor of the Lodge, so I’m not gonna say anybody runs the third floor. But you said Braydon Hawthorne, right? You were one of the guys who had involvement with the water situation, so I got a problem with you as well. But we’ll handle that.”