Malachi Moreno -- Kentucky Mr. Basketball -- graduates from Great Crossing ahead of career as Wildcat

Malachi Moreno is Kentucky’s top-ranked signee in 2025, coming in at No. 24 overall and No. 2 among centers in the final On3 150. Named Mr. Basketball in the state while leading Great Crossing to the school’s first KHSAA Sweet 16 championship, the 7-1 big man was also named a McDonald’s All-American along with being invited to the Nike Hoop Summit and Chris Brickley Invitational. In June, he’ll represent his state as a 2025 Kentucky Boys All-Star — they’ll take on the Indiana All-Stars on Friday, June 6 at Lexington Catholic — then his country at Team USA U19 training camp in Colorado Springs from June 15-22, potentially competing at the 2025 FIBA U19 World Cup in Switzerland.

Oh, and move-in is this week for the Wildcats, too. Beyond all of the accolades and accomplishments, he’s set to begin his career in blue and white with Kentucky’s first summer practices starting this weekend. No time to rest when it comes to the pursuit of No. 9.

Moreno did accomplish something bigger than basketball this weekend, though, rewarded for his work in the classroom after raking in countless other on-court rewards both individually and as a team. The incoming freshman at UK has the diploma to prove he’s an outgoing high school senior, graduating from Great Crossing High School.

He shared photos from his graduation on social media, adding the following quote: “Our stories are the greatest legacy we will leave to our friends. A life story longest-lasting legacy you will leave to future generations.”

“Thank you GCHS,” Moreno wrote.

Moreno finished his senior campaign as a Warhawk averaging 21.5 points, 14.9 rebounds, 3.6 blocks and 3.5 assists per contest, leading Great Crossing to a 35-4 record and the school’s first state championship. He racked up 37 double-doubles in 39 games while shooting an impressive 72.1 percent from the field.

Next stop? Lexington, packing his bags in Georgetown and making the move to the Wildcat Coal Lodge ahead of his career at Kentucky.

Braydon Hawthorne graduates from Huntington Prep

It was a big weekend for Kentucky’s other incoming freshman, too — Jasper Johnson graduated from OTE back in mid-May — as Braydon Hawthorne celebrated his high school chapter coming to a close at Huntington Prep.

The newest Wildcat, who committed on May 19, shared his graduation photos on Tuesday, as well.

The outfit of choice? His cap and gown with a Jayson Tatum t-shirt, hoping to bring that same long, skilled wing archetype to Lexington — albeit for a bigger, better blue blood program.

Take a look:

Congrats to all three of Kentucky’s incoming freshmen on their graduations ahead of move-in week!