3 Nerlens Noel

Nerlens Noel was born on April 10, 1994, in Malden, Massachusetts to Dorcina Noel.

Noel rose to prominence as a high school star thanks to his elite shot-blocking and athleticism. Standing 6-foot-11 with a 7-foot-4 wingspan, he became one of the most highly touted recruits in the country and was ranked as the No. 1 player in the 2012 class by multiple scouting services.

Noel began his high school education at Everett High School in Everett, Massachusetts, before transferring to the Tilton School in New Hampshire. At Tilton, he distinguished himself as a top basketball prospect, earning the No. 1 ranking in the class of 2012 by ESPN and Scout.com.  He was named the USA Today National Player of the Year after averaging 12.6 points, 3.9 blocks, and 7.2 rebounds per game as a senior at Tilton

In April 2012, Noel committed to play for Coach John Calipari at the University of Kentucky, choosing the Wildcats over Georgetown and Syracuse.  He famously made his commitment known by shaving the UK logo on the back of his head, joining a program fresh off its 2012 national championship. He was expected to fill the void left by Anthony Davis, who had led Kentucky to a national championship the previous season.  Though the Wildcats didn’t reach the same level of team success in 2012–13, Noel was a defensive force, averaging 10.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 4.4 blocks per game.  He led the SEC in blocks, earning SEC Freshman of the Year, SEC Defensive Player of the Year, and First-Team All-SEC honors. On January 12, 2013, in a game against Texas A&M, he recorded 15 points, 11 rebounds, seven blocks, six assists, and four steals. Later, on January 29, he set a Kentucky single-game record with 12 blocked shots in a victory over Ole Miss.

Unfortunately, Noel’s freshman season was cut short when he tore his ACL on February 12, 2013, in a game against Florida. Despite the injury, he finished the season averaging 10.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, 4.4 blocks, 2.1 steals, and 1.6 assists per game over 24 games.  His elite potential kept him high on NBA draft boards.

In the 2013 NBA Draft, Noel was selected 6th overall by the New Orleans Pelicans and was later traded to the Philadelphia 76ers. He has since played for several NBA teams including the Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Detroit Pistons, and Sacramento Kings, carving out a role as a defensive specialist and rim protector.

Off the court, Noel has been known for his quiet leadership and community involvement. His journey from a top high school recruit to overcoming injury setbacks has made him a respected veteran presence in the league.