Malachi Moreno's favorite -- and least favorite -- memories as a Kentucky fan

Growing up in Georgetown, Kentucky, Malachi Moreno has been a lifelong UK fan; this fall, he and Jasper Johnson will join an exclusive club of in-state stars to live out the dream of playing for the Wildcats.

As you might expect, Moreno’s background as a Kentucky fan came up plenty during Thursday’s interview session. His favorite UK memory might surprise you. It was one he witnessed firsthand, sitting behind Kentucky’s bench during the win over Alabama in February 2024.

“There’s a couple, but I would probably say one of my all-time favorites, because I was there to see it, would probably have to be Justin Edwards’ game against Alabama when he didn’t miss. That was really like, I could feel the energy in Rupp Arena, but also he had been kind of like, on a struggle that year, and then just being able to see his growth throughout the year, it was really good to see, and how much the fans loved to see it. So that was probably a really cool moment.”

Edwards was a perfect 10-10 from the field that night, finishing with a career-high 28 points. You can even see Moreno, then a junior in high school, behind the bench celebrating Edwards’ three to put Kentucky up by 20, in the highlight reel below. (He’s the really tall guy behind Grant Darbyshire and Walker Horn.)

Outside of Edwards’ big night, Moreno’s favorite UK moments are many of ours.

“Probably just be any game John Wall played him, because he’s my favorite player,” Moreno said. “Any shot the Harrison Twins made. That was nice. The Brandon Knight jump shot [vs. Ohio State], that was really good. And the 2012 natty.”

If you’re curious, Moreno was just six years old when Kentucky won the title in 2012. He and the star of that team had something in common.

“When I was a kid, I used to say Anthony Davis [was the player I compared myself to] because we both had an unibrow, but now that I’ve gotten older, I see myself more toward — that really is a good question. I mean, Willie Cauley-Stein, when he was in college, he was a great athlete, but I think being able to get to that point in my game, that will be very helpful, but he’s a great guy to look up to. They were here last week, so he was also very beneficial when they were here.”

Willie Cauley-Stein was also part of Moreno’s most painful memory as a Kentucky fan.

“Wisconsin Final Four. Jack Gohlke. The list could go on and on. There are a lot of hurtful moments out there, but they’re in the past, and now we’re in the present.”

The games circled on his calendar

The present is preparing for his first season at Kentucky. Moreno won a state title with Great Crossing in Rupp Arena this past March, but said the moment he puts on his No. 24 Kentucky jersey and steps onto Cawood’s Court for the first time will be a sentimental one.

“It feels great. I’m from the state of Kentucky, a local kid from Georgetown, Kentucky, and I’m kind of just here to represent my city, but also just to represent where I’m from. My parents really instilled in me that you should always love where you’re from. And I mean, being able to play for Kentucky while being from Kentucky, it’s a great honor to have, and I feel like we have an elite list of players that have been from Kentucky, like Reed Shepherd and Rex Chapman, and those kinds of guys. So I think being able to be a part of such a list is an honor.”

Like a true Kentucky kid, Moreno has one game circled on his calendar above any other. This year, it comes in just the second week of the season.

“I mean, always the Louisville game. That game is going to be crazy, I already know.”

As a lifelong fan, he’s also ready to get some revenge for Christian Watford’s buzzer-beater in Bloomington during the 2011-12 season. The Hoosiers come to Rupp Arena on December 13, the tip-off a four-year series between the old rivals.

“I’d probably say the Indiana game, too. We’ve got to get our get-back from what happened at IU with that buzzer-beater. And one of my good friends, Trent Sisley, plays at Indiana, so it’d be really good to see him, and then kind of just any game scheduled. I mean, I love to play and I love to win.”

Subscribe to the KSR YouTube Channel for press conferences, interviews, original shows, fan features, and exclusive content.