The Kentucky Wildcats coaching staff continues to aggressively shape what could become one of the strongest rosters in college basketball for the 2026-27 season as Head Coach Mark Pope prepares to enter his third year leading the program.
Pope and his staff are still pursuing a few key additions that could elevate Kentucky into national championship conversations. As the May 27 NBA Draft withdrawal deadline draws closer, Big Blue Nation is anxiously waiting for decisions from Kentucky native Malachi Moreno and former Iowa State Cyclones standout Milan Momcilovic.
There was some uncertainty surrounding Moreno after he chose not to participate in the NBA Combine’s 5-on-5 scrimmages, leaving many around the Wildcats program wondering what it might signal about his future plans. However, CBS Sports analysts Matt Norlander and Gary Parrish appeared unconcerned, believing the talented big man is still likely to suit up for Kentucky next season.
“I think Moreno and Tyler Tanner are going to play against each other in the SEC next season. They’re going through the process, but I don’t blame them. They’re handling it very well,” Parrish said during a recent episode of Eye On College Basketball.
Pope has never hidden how highly he views Moreno’s potential. The Kentucky head coach recently expressed confidence that the Georgetown native could develop into the top center in college basketball next season if he returns to Lexington.
Meanwhile, Kentucky’s coaching staff has spent time in Chicago monitoring former Wildcats and evaluating additional transfer portal and NBA Draft prospects they may target in the coming weeks. With roster decisions looming and the draft withdrawal deadline quickly approaching, the next week and a half is expected to be tense for the Kentucky fan base as they await major roster updates.