{"id":23705,"date":"2025-05-10T17:37:09","date_gmt":"2025-05-10T17:37:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/23705\/"},"modified":"2025-05-10T17:37:09","modified_gmt":"2025-05-10T17:37:09","slug":"malachi-moreno-to-compete-in-chris-brickley-invitational","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/23705\/","title":{"rendered":"Malachi Moreno to compete in Chris Brickley Invitational"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s been quite the run for Kentucky signee Malachi Moreno<\/a>. The Georgetown, KY native went from winning Mr. Basketball to leading Great Crossing to the school\u2019s first Sweet 16 title in March. From there, the 7-foot-1 center packed his bags and traveled to Brooklyn for the McDonald\u2019s All-American Game, then Portland for the Nike Hoop Summit in April.<\/p>\n

What will May bring the future Wildcat? How about another prestigious all-star event \u2014 this time in Chicago.<\/p>\n

Moreno has been invited to the third annual Chris Brickley Invitational<\/a>, coming to the Windy City on Saturday, May 10. There, he\u2019ll be joined by the nation\u2019s best, competing while working alongside one of the most famous trainers in basketball. <\/p>\n

If the event sounds familiar, it\u2019s because Jasper Johnson was named MVP in Chicago last year, finishing with 32 points on 8-9 from three. Now, it\u2019s Moreno\u2019s turn to show out as one of 20 players invited to participate. He\u2019ll be joined by the likes of Chris Cenac Jr., Meleek Thomas, Darius Acuff Jr., Mikel Brown Jr., Trey McKenney, Eric Reibe, Sadiq White Jr., Kaden Magwood, Jerry Easter II and Jamier Jones among incoming college freshmen, plus elite recruits in 2026, 2027 and 2028 such as Anthony Thompson, Qayden Samuels, Cameron Holmes, Luca Foster, Ryan Hampton and Kameron Mercer, among others.<\/p>\n

Last year\u2019s roster included the likes of Darryn Peterson, Jeremiah Fears, Caleb Wilson, Tyran Stokes, Ian Jackson, Rob Wright and Jalil Bethea along with Johnson.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s the final event for Moreno before he takes his talents to Kentucky with move-in scheduled for early June. From there, it\u2019s all about making his debut in blue and white, preparing for a promising college career in Lexington.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s something Mark Pope is certainly excited to see, keeping arguably the nation\u2019s top center home \u2014 right where he belongs.<\/p>\n

\u201cMalachi Moreno is probably the best center in all of high school basketball, and he\u00a0fits\u00a0us also,\u201d Pope said of the future Wildcat. \u201cEvery time I see him, he\u2019s grown a little bit bigger than me, and he likes to rub it in. \u2026 He\u2019s a special, special human being. He\u2019s massive, and he\u2019s an elite level passer, and he\u2019s got \u2014 you meet him and you think, Oh, this guy is just the nicest, biggest dude I\u2019ve ever met, but when he gets in the fray, in the mix, there\u2019s a little bit of violence and determination that comes out of him that was really fun for me to see. \u2026 We\u2019re really excited.\u201d<\/p>\n

Can Moreno follow in Johnson\u2019s footsteps by bringing MVP honors back home to Kentucky?<\/p>\n