BREAKING: Trent Noah has announced his return to Kentucky for his sophomore season! The freshman forward averaged 2.7 points and 1.9 rebounds per game shooting 45% from the field.

Kentucky native Trent Noah has officially announced his return to the Wildcats for his sophomore season, providing a significant boost to head coach Mark Pope’s roster for the 2025–26 campaign. The 6-foot-5, 220-pound forward confirmed his decision via social media on April 18, captioning his post with “Still chasing 9″—a nod to Kentucky’s pursuit of its ninth NCAA championship.

As a true freshman during the 2024–25 season, Noah appeared in 24 games, averaging 2.7 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 0.4 assists over 11.1 minutes per game. He demonstrated efficiency by shooting 45.1% from the field and 33.3% from beyond the arc.

Noah’s standout performance came in a home victory over Tennessee, where he scored a season-high 11 points, including three three-pointers, and added two rebounds and an assist. This achievement made him just the third player in program history to hit three or more threes off the bench against an AP Top 5 opponent.

In the postseason, Noah contributed in all three of Kentucky’s NCAA Tournament games, averaging 2.3 points in 9.3 minutes per contest. His most notable tournament performance was against Illinois, where he scored four points in eight minutes during the Wildcats’ second-round victory.

Noah’s return is part of a broader trend of continuity for Kentucky. He joins fellow returnees Collin Chandler and Brandon Garrison, both of whom are expected to play significant roles in the upcoming season. The Wildcats’ roster is further bolstered by incoming transfers and recruits, including Florida transfer Denzel Aberdeen and international prospect Andrija Jelavic.

A product of Harlan County High School, Noah was a prolific scorer in high school, finishing as Kentucky’s fifth all-time leading scorer with 3,707 points. Initially committed to South Carolina, he decommitted following a coaching change and chose to play for his home-state Wildcats under Coach Pope.

As Kentucky aims to build upon its recent successes, Noah’s development and increased role could be pivotal. His combination of shooting ability and versatility positions him as a key contributor in the Wildcats’ quest for a ninth national title.