Malachi Moreno, the 7-foot Kentucky commit, lit up the court during the highly anticipated Kentucky/Indiana All-Star Game on Tuesday night — but not everyone left the gym celebrating his dominant performance.
Moreno dropped a game-high 22 points, snagged 14 rebounds, and walked away with MVP honors after leading Team Kentucky to a commanding win. While Big Blue Nation praised their future Wildcat, the performance ignited a surprising amount of backlash — both from opposing fans and even a few anonymous sources close to the event.
The outrage? Some critics claimed Moreno “showboated” in front of his future college teammates who were also participating, allegedly overshadowing the collaborative spirit of the game. Others say the MVP decision was politically influenced, aimed at hyping Kentucky’s incoming class rather than honoring team play.
“It felt like the Malachi Moreno Show,” one Indiana coach said off record. “He’s talented, no doubt. But there are other players who deserved the spotlight, too.”
However, Kentucky fans were quick to defend the rising star. Social media exploded with highlights of Moreno’s blocks, dunks, and fluid footwork, many declaring him the next Anthony Davis in the making.
Coach Mark Pope, who was seen courtside alongside several UK assistants, reportedly gave Moreno a standing ovation. Sources close to the program say the coaching staff was “thrilled” with what they saw.
Whether you love the hype or hate it, one thing is certain — Malachi Moreno has officially put the college basketball world on notice.
And he’s just getting started.
