Mark Pope loves the progression he's seen from Trent Noah, right, as he starts his second season at Kentucky. (Vicky Graff Photo)
A year ago, Trent Noah was “a disaster” as he tried to adjust to being a University of Kentucky basketball player. The Harlan County High School star was coming off a brilliant high school career that ended with his team losing in the state title game. However, transitioning to playing for new UK coach Mark Pope last summer was not an easy task.
Pope told Matt Norlander of CBS Sports that Noah had trouble “understanding” what UK was trying to do on both ends of the floor. He still managed to play in 24 games as a true freshman.
Now teammates are calling him not only the best shooter on the team but one of the best in the country.
“Trent, he doesn’t miss,” UK freshman Braydon Hawthorne said.
Pope is even more impressed with Noah’s improved leadership. The 6-foot-5 sophomore is now one of the players showing newcomers what to do and what is expected of them.
“It’s really fun to watch Trent Noah,” Pope told Norlander. “One year later, he walks in, and he’s the most veteran, seasoned voice on the floor. He’s like, ‘Guys, just everyone relax. Let me explain what Coach is saying right now.’ It’s actually so fun to watch from summer to summer and season to season, watching these guys grow.”
Pope said earlier in the summer that “being a Kentucky legend is different than being anything anywhere else,” but predicted Noah could handle any pressure because he is “made different” from most players.
Pope knows year two should be easier for Noah, like it has been for most players he’s coached.
“These kids, these young people, they are just so dynamic as human beings. So much of what happens on the court is what they take into it that day. Their lives can change so fast. We’re not dealing with someone that’s actually in the same space in their life right now today, as they will be in three months — thankfully, right? Because they’re growing, so there is some error rate,” Pope told Norlander.
6 Responses
He’s certainly a great edition and I assume he will be a four year contributor. Unfortunately he’ll always be a “tweener “ . Not quick enough for a 2 and not tall enough for a 3. That doesn’t mean he can’t be 6th man of the year and go 7 for 10 on 3’s with 12 minutes of PT.
Plus a spiritual leader and beloved Cat for years to come !
Noah will be the biggest surprise this year. He will be in the top 5 in scoring for Pope. Quaintance will be the biggest disappointment due to not being ready to play until the end of December and never really finding his groove coming off of the bench because he will split time at the 4 and 5 spots playing in 4-5 minute spurts and limited to just under 20 minutes per game.
This is ridiculous bets definitely not coming off the bench or playing any 4 in a Pope style offense. BG is not a starting caliber big on a top 20 team definitely not on a top 5 team. Malachi will end up as the backup. JQ doesn’t need to be in a great grove to block shots rebound and be the most physical player in the country. Terrible take
I wouldn't call Noah's freshman season a "disaster." Heck, he was just a freshman on a really good team. He had a lot to learn not only with basketball, but with college and being on his own. That's a lot to take in all at once.
I wouldn't call getting in 24 games a disaster by any reasonable metric.
His freshman year was pretty dang good! Love his attitude too!!He will surprise a lot of people!
So do I Jarvis