Twitter celebrates Malachi Moreno returning to Kentucky Wildcats

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May 25, 2026 - 02:43

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Twitter celebrates Malachi Moreno returning to Kentucky Wildcats

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 20: Malachi Moreno #24 of the Kentucky Wildcats reacts after a block against the St. John's Red Storm during the first half of the game between the St. John's Red Storm and Kentucky Wildcats at State Farm Arena on December 20, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The return of Malachi Moreno is now official, as the Kentucky native will return to Lexington for his sophomore season. Big Blue Nation has been awaiting this news for quite some time, and now, they’ve taken to Twitter to celebrate the news.

The Wildcats were awaiting a couple of puzzle pieces to move late into the offseason, and the return of the 7-footer is exactly what Mark Pope needed. The return of Moreno will bring major rim protection, offensive skill, and rebounding to the Cats’ 2026-27 roster.

As the Wildcats have a couple more roster spots open, Pope is waiting on a couple more decisions to finish out the roster. One name to watch is former Iowa State forward Milan Momcilovic, as he has until Wednesday night to make a decision.

But for now, the BBN will celebrate the return of Moreno!

BBN, I’m home. Job’s isn’t finished.💙 pic.twitter.com/OvR7cSMZUw— Malachi Moreno (@malachimoreno24) May 25, 2026

MALACHI MORENO IS BACKKKKKKK

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM— Pope’s Crib (@ScoopLexington) May 25, 2026

Kentucky big man Malachi Moreno has announced he will withdraw from NBA Draft and return to the Wildcats for his sophomore season.

Smart move for Moreno and also huge for Mark Pope and the ‘Cats.— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) May 25, 2026

Right where he belongs. #BigOnCommitment x @malachimoreno24 pic.twitter.com/gVBVjN5xoy— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) May 25, 2026

Kentucky’s biggest “get” of the offseason: retaining Malachi Moreno. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/ND1GrVFhIf— Tres Terrell (@TerrellTres) May 25, 2026

Nobody made leaps in their game quite like Malachi Moreno last season for UK, but there's still a lot of growth Moreno is looking to make.

Very skilled. Extremely professional and mature. Kentucky needed a star, and the sophomore is on tap to deliver.@LEX18News | @BBNTonight pic.twitter.com/zwEcpOWjry— Noah Cierzan (@ncierzan) May 25, 2026

Kentucky needed stability, and getting Malachi Moreno back certainly helps.

Returning to school was the best long-term move after a promising first season. A great culture guy.

I can imagine his strong NBA Combine showing, even without 5v5, gave him some NIL leverage at UK. https://t.co/nj8fb1e4bD— Vince Wolfram (@vincewolfram15) May 25, 2026

Right call for Moreno. Never really got the buzz from NBA sources about him that others seemed to be getting. Always felt like shutting him down at the combine was a sharp agency ploy.

Genuinely interesting player who will have a shot in 2027. Needs to play more physically. https://t.co/OoVdsSjaGW— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) May 25, 2026

Big-time retention coup for Kentucky. Big man Malachi Moreno is positioned to be one of the best two-way bigs in the SEC next year.

Mark Pope needed this one. https://t.co/MsgiCgaIvJ— Isaac Trotter (@Isaac__Trotter) May 25, 2026

Kentucky center Malachi Moreno announces he is withdrawing from the NBA Draft and will be back in school next year.

HUGE win for Mark Pope and Co, as I expect him to be one of the most improved bigs in the sport +a potential lottery pick 👊👊 https://t.co/DTVMd7MLt0— Aaron Torres (@Aaron_Torres) May 25, 2026

Kentucky’s biggest priority this offseason was to retain Malachi Moreno.

For perspective, @EvanMiya would have had Moreno as a top five player in the portal had he entered.

Now that it is official, all eyes turn to Milan Momcilovic, who is a great fit for UK. pic.twitter.com/O8fEGmGkfp— Tristan Pharis (@TristanUda) May 25, 2026

Welcome back MALACHI MORENO!!! Let’s get this kid a ring and then into the lottery of the NBA draft next year— Kentucky Heat Check (@KYHeatCheck) May 25, 2026

Thoughts from out of the Blue: Malachi Moreno returning to UK may not guarantee Banner No. 9, but it does guarantee Mark Pope won’t have to spend the next three months pretending a 6-foot-8 transfer portal power forward can “play some small-ball five.” pic.twitter.com/ODmvN86xmz— John Huang (@KYHuangs) May 25, 2026

All season long, Malachi Moreno was consistently amongst the first, if not the first, guys out there warming up for Kentucky.

His relentless work ethic cannot be understated. An absolute coup for Mark Pope to get Moreno back for another season. pic.twitter.com/FMmD5BPAzA— Noah Cierzan (@ncierzan) May 25, 2026

Oh, what a relief it is. Things are suddenly looking up for Big Blue Nation. https://t.co/bZzvQMnsHo— Oscar Combs (@wildcatnews) May 25, 2026

A few weeks ago we asked Cooper who his new favorite Kentucky player would be since Oweh is gone.

Unprompted he said “Bareno” aka Malachi Moreno. 😂

I’m glad Malachi is coming back to Kentucky so we don’t have to break his heart twice. 😼 pic.twitter.com/1b643oSN7q— Dylan Ballard (@DylanBallard_UK) May 25, 2026