2026 NBA Draft: Malachi Moreno Scouting Report
- Babcock Hoops
- Feb 9
- 2 min read
Throughout the 2025-26 season, Babcock Hoops will provide comprehensive scouting reports on top 2026 NBA Draft prospects, analyzing their strengths, weaknesses, and potential at the next level. Our reports offer an in-depth look at each player's development and draft outlook.
Malachi Moreno
Position:Â Center
College:Â Kentucky
Class:Â Freshman
Height/Weight:Â 7'0", 250 lbs
Birthdate:Â October 24, 2006
High School: Great Crossing HS (KY)
Player Overview
Malachi Moreno is a 7-footer with excellent coordination and mobility for his size. He already checks a lot of NBA boxes for a big man: he runs the floor well, moves fluidly around the rim, and profiles as an efficient finisher in transition and in pick-and-roll actions. Offensively, most of his value currently comes from doing the simple things at a high level: catching, finishing, and converting high-percentage opportunities around the basket, while also showing encouraging feel as a passer.
Defensively, his length and timing give him real rim-protection utility. He projects as a reliable interior deterrent who can challenge shots and impact the game as a help defender. The next steps in his development will be to expand his offensive range and improve his functional strength. He’s also not yet much of a face-up player or explosive vertical threat.
“Although he has some limitations, his size and mobility allow him to be effective, especially on the defensive end. Adding strength and continuing to develop offensively will be key. He’s a prospect to continue monitoring." — Matt Babcock, NBA Draft Analyst
Strengths
Rim Protection:Â Strong timing and length as an interior presence; projects as a consistent paint deterrent and help defender.
Mobile 7-Footer:Â Runs the floor well and moves fluidly for his size, which boosts his transition and rim-running value.
Interior Finishing:Â Efficient around the basket; converts high-percentage looks and plays within his role offensively.
Passing Feel:Â Willing passer with vision from the high post/deep paint; can find cutters and make the simple kick-out reads.
Concerns
Strength and Physicality:Â Can be outmuscled by stronger bigs; adding functional strength will help him finish through contact and hold ground defensively.
Limited Creation and Explosiveness:Â Not currently a face-up threat or dynamic vertical finisher; athleticism is good but not elite.
No Proven Floor Spacing: Doesn’t currently stretch the floor; perimeter shooting would require meaningful development.
Bottom Line
Moreno has a strong foundation for a young prospect: legitimate size, mobility, rim protection, efficient finishing, and a passing feel that adds connective value. His NBA pathway is clear as a rim-running, rim-protecting big, but his draft stock will be tied to how much his body and skill package expand. If he gets stronger and adds a little more offensive versatility to his game, he has the makeup to become a contributor at the NBA level.
