Mark Pope and the Kentucky Wildcats have been outstanding when it comes to adding transfer portal players to the roster for next season.

However, Pope has now tapped into the high school realm as another freshman will be joining the team next season.

On May 7th, South Carolina signee and Harlan native Trent Noah announced that he was released from his NLI with the Gamecocks and was reopening his recruitment.

Now, Noah has decided that he will be staying in-state and playing for the Wildcats next season. According to CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander, Noah has committed to Kentucky!

Noah has confirmed the news on Twitter. That brings the roster to 10 scholarship players for next season.

Noah is currently ranked as the No. 103 overall player and is the No. 25 overall small forward. In the state, he is ranked second behind Travis Perry, who is also a Wildcat.

The 6-foot-6 forward averaged 29.9 points on 56% shooting (43% on 3s) and 10.4 rebounds per game last season for Harlan County, broke the school’s all-time scoring record, and finished fifth all-time in KHSAA points scored.

He also led Harlan County to the school’s first state championship game appearance before losing to Perry and Lyon County.

This is a very good addition to the roster for Pope and one that will surely be a fan favorite since he is from the state. Noah can sit and develop before potentially becoming a significant contributor down the line. Those were the types of players fans clamored to have more of under John Calipari, and it certainly appears Mark Pope will put a bigger emphasis on it.

Now, check out some highlights of the newest Cat in action!

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