Kentucky Sharpshooter Trent Noah Announces Return for Third Season

Noah, a key role player for the Wildcats, will look to build on his first two years in Lexington.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 5:56pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a Kentucky basketball player in motion, with sharp planes of blue, white, and gold overlapping to create a dynamic, abstract composition.A cubist interpretation of a Kentucky basketball player's drive to the hoop, reflecting the team's need to rebuild and find a new identity.Lexington Today

Kentucky basketball player Trent Noah has announced that he will return to the Wildcats for his third season. Noah, a sharpshooter from Harlan, Kentucky, had a up-and-down sophomore campaign but has decided to stick with the program and continue developing under head coach Mark Pope.

Why it matters

Noah's return provides stability and shooting ability to a Kentucky roster that is still taking shape. As the Wildcats look to bounce back from a disappointing season, having an experienced perimeter threat like Noah will be valuable, especially if the team struggles to find consistent scoring options.

The details

After committing to Kentucky as part of Pope's first recruiting class, Noah had a promising freshman season where he showed flashes of being a reliable three-point shooter. However, his sophomore year was more uneven, as he dealt with an ankle injury and struggled to find a consistent role on the team. Despite the ups and downs, Noah has decided to return to Lexington for his junior campaign.

  • On April 12, 2026, Trent Noah announced his decision to return to Kentucky for the 2026-27 season.
  • Noah played in 27 games for the Wildcats during the 2025-26 season, averaging 3 points per game.

The players

Trent Noah

A sharpshooter from Harlan, Kentucky, who has played the last two seasons for the Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team.

Mark Pope

The head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team, who recruited Noah to Lexington.

Travis Perry

A fellow in-state recruit who joined Kentucky alongside Noah but left the program after one season.

Jaland Lowe

A Kentucky player who went down with an injury, leaving the Wildcats without a true point guard last season.

Kam Williams

A Kentucky player who has also announced his return to the team for the 2026-27 season.

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What they’re saying

“I'm back. Let's go to work, #BBN.”

— Trent Noah

What’s next

With Noah's return, Kentucky will look to build around him and fellow returnee Kam Williams as they aim to bounce back from a disappointing 2025-26 season. The Wildcats also remain active in the transfer portal and are pursuing top recruit Tyran Stokes as they look to reshape their roster for the upcoming year.

The takeaway

Trent Noah's decision to return to Kentucky for his junior season provides stability and shooting ability to a Wildcats team in transition. His development will be crucial as Kentucky looks to rebound from a down year and regain its status as one of the top programs in college basketball.