UK Basketball Players Volunteer at Ronald McDonald House

Wildcats take time to serve families, sign autographs at Lexington charity

Apr. 7, 2026 at 10:08pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a basketball game or practice broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color, conceptually representing the players' shift in perspective from basketball to community service.UK basketball players find perspective and purpose in serving families at the Ronald McDonald House.Lexington Today

Several University of Kentucky men's basketball players spent an evening volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House in Lexington, serving pizza, chatting with families, and signing autographs for the children and parents staying there.

Why it matters

The Wildcats' visit to the Ronald McDonald House allowed the players to step away from basketball and gain perspective on the challenges faced by the families staying at the charity, which provides housing and support for those with seriously ill children receiving medical treatment.

The details

The UK basketball players spent Monday night at the Ronald McDonald House in Lexington, helping to serve food, interact with the families, and sign autographs for the children. The experience allowed the players to appreciate the difficulties the families are going through and recognize that their own problems pale in comparison.

  • The players volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House on Monday evening.

The players

Trent Noah

A University of Kentucky men's basketball player who participated in the volunteer event.

University of Kentucky men's basketball team

The entire UK men's basketball team took part in the volunteer work at the Ronald McDonald House.

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What they’re saying

“It makes me extremely grateful every time we get to come and hear their stories. It makes me realize that my problems — and the stuff that I'm going through is slim and not really even that big of a deal at all.”

— Trent Noah, University of Kentucky men's basketball player

What’s next

The UK basketball team plans to continue visiting the Ronald McDonald House throughout the year to support the families staying there.

The takeaway

The Wildcats' volunteer work at the Ronald McDonald House allowed the players to gain valuable perspective and appreciation for the challenges faced by the families staying there, reminding them that their own problems are small in comparison.