By JAMES MADDEN
Mark Pope and Kentucky will return a crucial part of their team for next season.
The Wildcats’ starting center Malachi Moreno has withdrawn from the 2026 NBA Draft and will return to the program, he announced on Instagram.
Coming off his freshman season at Kentucky, the 7-footer averaged 7.8 points and 6.3 rebounds per game on 58.2% shooting from the field, while starting in 30 of the team’s 36 games this season.
A former top-30 recruit, Moreno’s return helps Kentucky bolster a front court that was in-need of an impact player.
With Moreno returning, Kentucky is bringing in the No. 65 overall recruiting class, according to 247Sports, headlined by Furman transfer Alex Wilkins and Washington transfer Zoom Diallo.
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