Top Priority for Trent Noah is his Faith in God

Vicky Graff Photo

Through the good and bad times on and off the court, Trent Noah has always relied on his faith in God.

Even when it appeared his dream of playing for Kentucky ended after he signed with South Carolina last year, Noah just followed a higher power as he played out his senior year at Harlan County. A coaching change from John Calipari to Mark Pope following the UK season provided just the avenue for Noah to eventually reach his dream destination.

“It was all part of His plan,” Noah said. “I was just just trusting Him and I just want what He wants, and I know that’s best for me.”

His faith has been sufficient through the first phase of his collegiate career as he has adjusted to the next level. He also took Pope’s advice to “be still” and take an even-keel approach as a student-athlete.

“There’s always going to be like good days and bad days,” he said. “You just need to keep a level head and don’t get too high or too low because the next day can be different. I just try to keep my faith in God and trust His plan.”

That faith in God, Noah said, is “a staple in my life” and has always given him peace.

“I feel like (my faith is) a very big deal and to just trust and lean on Him because He has plans bigger than mine,” he said. “I’m just super thankful that He gets to help me throughout my life and everything going on.”

More than making a name for himself on the court, Noah said his faith is “the biggest thing” and he wants to continue growing and maturing spiritually.

“It’s the highest priority in my life,” he said. “(If) All we do on this earth is basketball and winning a championship, that’s all great, (but) it’s really what happens when you’re setting up for yourself after (basketball), so that’s my biggest focus. I’m just thankful that I kind of understand that and I just want to grow and build my relationship (with Christ) even more.”

In the short time Pope has known Noah, the Kentucky coach has learned to appreciate his eastern Kentucky roots and upbringing.

“I think he’s a really special human being,” Pope said. “I don’t know eastern Kentucky like people who grew up in eastern Kentucky; I don’t know it well like them, but if you had a guy who was going to represent the eastern half of this state in a brilliant, brilliant way, this Trent Noah is really special that way.”

Noah took the comment from his coach as a compliment.

“It’s an honor to hear words like that come from him,” Noah said of his coach. “I think so highly of him. He knows what he’s doing. He knows what’s going on. He’s lived and breathed the national championship here at Kentucky.

“It’s just so special. I love where I’m from, I love the area, I love the people. And to be able to bring some excitement to that back home and to eastern Kentucky and to the state of Kentucky. It’s just an honor and there’s so much pride that comes with that.”

As Noah prepares for his first season with the Wildcats, he will certainly rely on his faith.

“I’ve grown up in church and stuff like that, and I just feel like I have God on my side,” he said. “It just makes it easier with what I’m doing right now. So I’m just thankful for that and I get to just let him take control.”