9 Trent Noah

Trent Noah was born December 28, 2005, in Corbin, Kentucky, and grew up in Harlan, where he became one of the most prolific scorers in the history of Kentucky high school basketball. The Harlan County star finished with a school- and county-record 3,707 points, the fifth-highest career total in state history. As a senior, he averaged 29.9 points and led the Black Bears to the state championship game, scoring 129 points and making a Sweet 16-record 19 three-pointers during their four-game tournament run. His performance included a 48-point outburst in the quarterfinals, the fourth-highest scoring game in Boys’ Sweet 16 history.

A four-star prospect, Noah originally committed to South Carolina before reopening his recruitment and accepting the opportunity to play for Mark Pope at Kentucky. The 6-foot-5 forward quickly became a fan favorite as an Eastern Kentucky native who played with energy, toughness and an evident appreciation for wearing the Kentucky uniform. He appeared in 24 games as a freshman and earned a place on the SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll before taking on a larger role during his sophomore season.

Noah’s breakthrough performance came against fifth-ranked Tennessee at Rupp Arena on February 11, 2025. Coming off the bench, he scored 11 points and made three three-pointers to help an injury-depleted Kentucky team defeat the Volunteers, 75–64. He became only the third Wildcat to make at least three three-pointers off the bench against an Associated Press top-five opponent. As a sophomore, he produced a career-high 16 points with four three-pointers against Tennessee Tech and contributed nine points and seven rebounds during an upset victory at Arkansas, continuing the Kentucky tradition of homegrown players earning memorable moments in the Blue and White.