He Was Once Called “Average” — But What’s Unfolding in Kentucky Practice Has Silenced the Doubters: Teammates Are in Shock, Coaches Can’t Stop Raving, and This Summer He’s Becoming the Unofficial King of the Catch-and-Shoot Three… The Energy Is Electric, and the Entire Locker Room Is Buzzing Over What This Sharpshooter Is Becoming
At the start of summer workouts, no one was circling his name. While hype surrounded Kentucky’s high-profile transfers and flashy newcomers, one sophomore quietly laced up, kept his head down, and went to work.
Now, just weeks into preseason practices, the same “overlooked” player is becoming the talk of Lexington — and according to coaches and teammates, he might just be one of the most dangerous weapons in Kentucky’s arsenal.
They’re calling him the King of the Catch-and-Shoot.
One assistant coach even joked, “If the ball touches his hands behind the arc, just start jogging back on defense — it’s going in.”
It’s not just the accuracy — it’s the confidence. He moves without the ball like a seasoned pro, curling off screens, relocating on drives, and punishing defenders who sag for even a second. What used to be considered a “solid role player” now looks like a player commanding the court with the swagger of a go-to scorer.
Coaches are raving. Teammates are feeding him. And the fan base? They’re just starting to realize what’s happening — and they love it.
> “He’s the most consistent shooter we’ve got right now,” one practice insider shared. “Every day, it’s the same story — catch, rise, splash. It’s automatic.”
But here’s the kicker — this isn’t someone who was expected to dominate the headlines. In fact, heading into the offseason, many labeled him as just another rotation guy. Not flashy. Not explosive. Just… average.
That narrative didn’t age well.
Because what’s happening in practice is far from average.
The team’s internal scrimmages have already given us glimpses. Multiple sessions have ended with him knocking down 4–5 threes in a row. He’s spacing the floor so effectively that defenders are being forced to pick him up well beyond the college arc. And in the process, he’s changing the geometry of Kentucky’s entire offense.
So who is this breakout shooter lighting up the summer?
Trent Noah.
A homegrown product from Harlan County, Noah arrived on campus with limited national buzz, but a chip on his shoulder the size of Rupp Arena. Known in high school for his quiet consistency and work ethic, he’s proving those traits translate — and explode — on the college stage.
Coach Mark Pope is already taking notice.
> “We’ve seen it all summer,” Pope said. “Trent is in the gym before anyone and out after everyone. He’s earned everything he’s getting right now.”
And what he’s getting — is attention. Real, serious attention.
Veterans are trusting him with the ball in key moments. Coaches are drawing up sets to get him open looks. Opponents in scrimmages are yelling switches and panic-closing out just to slow him down.
> “I don’t need to be the star,” Noah told reporters earlier this year. “I just want to help us win. And I know what I bring.”
Turns out, what he brings might be exactly what Kentucky’s been missing in recent years — a cold-blooded shooter with no fear and nothing to lose.
And that energy? It’s spreading.
The team is buzzing. The spacing looks better. The tempo is faster. The chemistry? Electric.
While the headlines have gone to the 5-stars and flashy transfers, it’s Trent Noah — the supposed “average kid” — who’s becoming the X-factor of the Pope era.
And if this summer is any indication of what’s to come, BBN might want to remember the name now.
Because the next time Trent Noah rises for a three, it might already be too late for the defense — and too late for anyone who doubted him.
