Malachi Moreno Named to SEC Community Service Team
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – Kentucky men’s basketball freshman center Malachi Moreno has been named to the Southeastern Conference Community Service Team, the league announced on Thursday.
The award is a part of a continuing effort by the SEC to recognize the accomplishments of student-athletes beyond the field of competition. This marks the 28th year for the SEC Community Service Team in the sport of men’s basketball, with all 16 member schools having one player recognized.
In his first year with the Wildcats, Moreno has continually made time for his community, partnering with organizations such as the Ronald McDonald House, UK Children’s Hospital, Lexington Rescue Mission and the Woodhill Community Center for a multitude of service-oriented activities including hospital visits, basketball clinics, donor interaction and more.
He was also a part of the team’s service efforts in London, Kentucky this past summer, where he aided with tornado relief and cleanup while also hosting a free youth basketball camp in the affected community.
Prior to his time at the University of Kentucky, Moreno made a lasting impact in his hometown of Georgetown, Kentucky and at his high school, Great Crossing. There, he joined the school’s adaptive physical education class, designed to accommodate students with disabilities, fostering meaningful relationships with his fellow classmates. The freshman always makes time to say hello to everyone in the room and has gone above and beyond to make an impact outside of basketball.
On the court, Moreno has had a tremendous freshman campaign, averaging 8.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.6 blocks per game. He leads the team with a 58.7 field-goal percentage and with three double-doubles on the year. Moreno ranks second in the conference with 1.78 blocks per game in league play and has the sixth-most blocks per contest among all freshmen in the country. He was named SEC Freshman of the Week on Monday, the first weekly honor of his college career. His outstanding year had perhaps its most magical moment on the road at LSU, when Moreno hit a game-winning buzzer beater to complete an 18-point comeback for the Wildcats.
Kentucky concludes the regular season on Saturday when the Wildcats take on Florida at 4 p.m. inside Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. The action will air on ESPN.
For the latest on the Kentucky men’s basketball team, follow @KentuckyMBB on X, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, and on the web at UKathletics.com.
