New Kentucky basketball signee Trent Noah reveals he never had conversation with John Calipari, previous staff

The basketball signee from Kentucky revealed an intriguing aspect of his recruitment.

Trent Noah, a small forward from Baxter, Kentucky, who is ranked 150th in the state for basketball, is one of the best in-state prospects for the 2024 recruiting class. Noah reportedly committed to Kentucky basketball earlier this month. Shortly before he committed to Kentucky and new head coach Mark Pope, the three-star prospect received his release from South Carolina.

For the in-state prospect, it was an unorthodox route to Kentucky, but one that was out of the question before previous head coach John Calipari left to take the same job at Arkansas in early April. Noah disclosed that he never spoke with Calipari or previous coaches, even though he is the No. 2 talent in Kentucky for the 2024 class.

Noah stated, “I never had any conversation with the previous staff,” in a recent BBN Tonight interview. “They started reaching out to me for assistance whenever there were changes. I’m so happy that everything came together.”

At Baxter (Ky.) Harlan County, Noah had an outstanding high school basketball career, finishing with 3,707 points, the fifth-highest in KHSAA history. As a senior, the all-state pick scored 29.9 points and pulled down 10.4 rebounds per game on average. After leading Harlan County to the KHSAA State Championship Game, Lyon County defeated them.

Just two high school recruits from Kentucky signed in the 2024 class, including Noah. He joins Travis Perry, a four-star point guard from Eddyville, Kentucky, a fellow in-state player who committed to the Wildcats back when Calipari was the head coach.

Noah remarked, “It’s definitely a dream come true.” “I was in this very building when I was a child attending basketball camps and I really wanted to meet all the players. The fact that it came full circle is amazing. It would be an understatement to say that it is a dream come true. As a child growing up in Kentucky, everyone desires to attend the University of Kentucky and wear the Kentucky uniform. And with that comes a great deal of pride as well. It’s amazing to realize that this is where I will be attending school and that I will be doing it.”

In the 2024 class, Noah is ranked as the 108th best prospect overall and the 24th best small forward in the country. Butler, California, Dayton, Indiana State, Seton Hall, Stanford, UCF, and other schools were among those who reportedly extended offers to him. Before committing to the Gamecocks in November 2023, Noah had made his first commitment to South Carolina in October 2023.

In a press release, Pope stated, “Trent Noah is one of the elite shooters in this class.” “He has a unique physicality and is a gritty, hard-nosed player. Trent, a product of eastern Kentucky, will infuse the team with a grit, toughness, and desire that embodies this state. Trent is a welcome addition to this accomplished bunch.”