Malachi Moreno details first 24 hours at Kentucky, team goal of banner No. 9: “We're ready to make a lot of noise.”

It was a bittersweet night for Malachi Moreno, suiting up in the 2025 Kentucky/Indiana All-Star Game at Lexington Catholic on Friday. On one hand, he received his Mr. Basketball ring and got to wear the prestigious No. 1 jersey that comes with that honor in the historic event, held annually since 1940. On the other, it was his final high school game before his career as a Wildcat began.

The former Great Crossing star moved into his dorm on Thursday with summer practices and camps set to begin this weekend. This was the last event separating his next chapter — and he was sure to make the most of it, going for 22 points, 14 rebounds, four blocks and three steals en route to MVP honors.

Now, it’s time for life in blue and white.

Tough loss, but strong performance for Malachi Moreno — MVP of the 2025 KY/IN All-Star Game

22 points, 14 rebounds, four blocks and three assists pic.twitter.com/4yu1tg1U9Q

— Jack Pilgrim (@JackPilgrimKSR) June 7, 2025

“It was great,” he told KSR. “… Being able to wear that No. 1 as Mr. Basketball, being able to represent the state of Kentucky against Indiana, I take a lot of pride in that.”

Moreno wasn’t alone as he closed the book on his magical high school career, one that saw him win the KHSAA Sweet 16 state championship while being named a McDonald’s All-American. He was joined by Jayden Quaintance, Jaland Lowe, Denzel Aberdeen, Reece Potter, Jasper Johnson and Trent Noah, all six Wildcats sitting courtside watching and cheering him on as he fought for a dominant double-double with freakish defensive stretches.

The gesture was small, but meant a lot to the Kentucky signee.

“I liked it a lot,” Moreno said. “They were just — they support me in anything I do, and I would do the same for them.”

Rather than hopping back on I-64W toward Georgetown, though, he just had to drive across town back to the Wildcat Coal Lodge — his new home. It’s been an adjustment for Moreno, who has been used to living with his parents his entire life, this move giving him the very first feeling of, “I’m really an adult now,” he told KSR.

He’s appreciated the ability to settle in and get everything ready to go to hit the ground running with summer workouts. Being right across the street from the Joe Craft Center, it’s been eye-opening for Moreno to see just how close he is — literally — to fighting for his dreams as a basketball player at UK.

There couldn’t be a more player-friendly setup than the one he has in Lexington.

“It’s a safe environment at the Lodge, just 20 steps away from the gym. It kind of gives me no excuses to not get workouts in,” he said.

Moving in Thursday, he actually got his first extended workout in Friday morning, wasting no time trying to get better. There, he was able to put his name into the Noah shot-tracking system and use his locker, among other day-one tasks for new players.

What he did was special, but who he did it with brought the experience to another level. Joined by his brother and EKU legend Michael Moreno — the only player in school history with 1,500-plus points and 900-plus rebounds — the two traded 3-pointers on The Gun like they were in their childhood backyard again.

This time, though, big brother was sending his baby brother off to college.

“It was great,” Moreno told KSR. “… I think being able to share that moment with my brother was even better, just because he kind of set the path for me, and then I followed him. He got me to where I’m at today.”

BUY STOCK NOW 📈

Moreno Brothers getting comfortable at Memorial pic.twitter.com/hkyBWbcmij

— State Line Co. (@StateLineCo) June 6, 2025

As for what’s next in his own journey, the early summer schedule includes lifting, getting shots up and scrimmaging to get their feet wet. Pope invited the team to his house Thursday night for their first bonding session as a group, grabbing dinner and watching Game 1 of the NBA Finals together. The team will probably lean on the local guys — Johnson, Potter and Noah included with Moreno — for food and activity suggestions, too, as they get used to life as college kids.

Coming together early and often is Pope’s top priority, then all of the basketball stuff will take care of itself.

“Kind of just to build the chemistry, but also have fun in the moment,” Moreno said of Pope’s early messaging with the newcomers. “It’s a privilege to wear the Kentucky jersey. He chose us and he believes in us. He wants to coach us and help us become better players and also better human beings.”

Because when it comes to the basketball stuff, everyone knows what this group can be. They all have their eye on the prize.

“We’re a really deep team and we’re ready to make a lot of noise,” Moreno told KSR. “We’re ready to get started. We have a lot of guys that are here to work and they’re here for the name on the front to help prosper the name on the back.”