Malachi Moreno was surprised to be named a starter: 'Now I'm just never gonna look back'

Malachi Moreno has been making the most of his minutes as a new addition to Mark Pope‘s starting lineup.

With the recent ankle injury to Mo Dioubate, which he suffered in Kentucky’s loss to Michigan State last week, Pope has since opted for a change in the first five. Kam Williams came in to take over for the hobbled Dioubate, while Moreno replaced Brandon Garrison as the starting center. Pope admitted that Garrison was struggling at times to begin the season, which led to Moreno’s promotion just six games into the season.

So far, that move has paid off all around — albeit against a couple of lesser opponents.

In Moreno’s first start against Loyola (MD) last Friday, the freshman seven-footer went for 10 points (5-10 FG), eight rebounds, four blocks, and a pair of assists in 23 minutes. Garrison played well coming off the bench, too, chipping in six points and a career-high 11 rebounds in 20 minutes. Moreno was even better on Wednesday night against Tennessee Tech.

After a slow start from the entire team, Kentucky ultimately cruised to a 50-point win over the Golden Eagles. Moreno was among the many stars of the night. He dropped his second double-double of the season, going for 13 points (4-5 FG, 5-6 FT), a career-high 11 rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and a steal in a career-best 25 minutes. The Georgetown native continues to look the part of a highly promising young prospect.

And now that he’s starting, he doesn’t intend on returning to the bench.

“It was very surprising,” Moreno said when asked about his reaction to Pope naming him a starter. “But at the same time, I was just extremely grateful that I got the opportunity to start. It shows that he has a lot of trust in me, and now I’m just never gonna look back.“

We have no reason to believe Moreno is lying, either. Through seven games, five off the bench, he’s now averaging 10.6 points and 7.6 rebounds in just 20.3 minutes per outing while shooting 59 percent from the field. He has twice as many assists (14) as turnovers (seven), while also leading the team in blocks with eight. He’s been tagged for a foul just twice all season (which might be the craziest individual stat on the entire team). The advanced numbers love his production, particularly on the glass.

“I just want to give 110 percent every time I step on the court,” Moreno added. “Just to show them that they can trust me and I’m gonna make a good play, make a play for my teammates.”

At this rate, Moreno’s starting role isn’t going anywhere (unless Jayden Quaintance has something to say about it).

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