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The surprising x-factor Kentucky basketball players can’t stop raving about

Mark Pope might’ve landed more touted transfers this offseason, but the most talked-about Wildcat in July isn’t new. It’s Trent Noah — the sophomore sharpshooter from Harlan County who’s quickly becoming Kentucky basketball’s unexpected X-factor.

Illinois v Kentucky | Stacy Revere/GettyImages

Originally committed to South Carolina, Noah re-opened his recruitment after a whirlwind spring that saw Andy Enfield leave USC, Eric Musselman flee Arkansas, and John Calipari bolt from Kentucky to Fayetteville. Enter Pope, and the in-state kid decided to stay home.

Noah showed flashes as a freshman — most notably his 11-point game in Kentucky’s emotional home win over Tennessee — but inconsistency and limited minutes defined his first season:

2024-25 Stats: 24 GP, 11.