Malachi Moreno is representing his home state as Mr. Basketball in the 2025 Kentucky/Indiana All-Star Game with his entire team behind him — his new team. Moving in this week to begin his career in Lexington as a Wildcat, the McDonald’s All-American has a few more things to take care of before he can turn his attention entirely toward college. That starts tonight at Lexington Catholic as he looks to beat the Hoosiers on the hardwood in the annual rivalry event before hopefully doing the same as a freshman when UK takes on IU on December 13.
From here, he’ll then head to Colorado Springs with Jasper Johnson on June 14 for 2025 USA Basketball U19 National Team training camp as they fight for two of the 12 roster spots for Team USA at the 2025 FIBA U19 World Cup in Switzerland. Mark Pope will be there, too, the Kentucky head coach invited to attend as a support staff member. It’ll be full steam ahead in Lexington once things wrap up there as the Wildcats prepare for the 2025-26 season.
For now, all eyes are on Moreno in the KY/IN All-Star Game, where the players currently on campus all showed up to support their new teammate.
KSR is in attendance and captured some of the photos and videos with Moreno playing and the Wildcats — Jayden Quaintance, Jaland Lowe, Denzel Aberdeen, Reece Potter, Jasper Johnson and Trent Noah, to be specific — cheering him on. Take a look:
Jayden Quaintance, Jaland Lowe, Denzel Aberdeen, Reece Potter, Jasper Johnson and Trent Noah all in attendance for Malachi Moreno in the 2025 KY/IN All-Star Game pic.twitter.com/Agq5avXpSD
— Jack Pilgrim (@JackPilgrimKSR) June 6, 2025
As you can probably imagine, Big Blue Nation was quick to swarm the new Wildcats, asking for pictures and autographs:
Before his appearance on the floor wearing the honorary No. 1 reserved for Mr. Basketball winners, Moreno participated in a pregame meet-and-greet with Kentucky fans for the first time officially as a Wildcat freshman. He also received his Mr. Basketball ring alongside Kentucky’s Miss Basketball ZaKiyah Johnson — an LSU signee.
UK signee Malachi Moreno receives his Mr. Basketball ring ahead of the 2025 Kentucky/Indiana All-Star Game in Lexington pic.twitter.com/GXsZFpjOgo
— Jack Pilgrim (@JackPilgrimKSR) June 6, 2025
He moved in Thursday, showing off his new No. 24 locker at the Joe Craft Center.
He didn’t waste much time getting shots up on the practice floor — the first Wildcat on the board among newcomers. Malachi and Michael Moreno traded 3-pointers rocking Kentucky gear just a few hours after moving in.
More from Moreno’s appearance in the 2025 Kentucky/Indiana All-Star Game coming shortly.