Every offseason brings unexpected storylines, but this summer one Kentucky Wildcat is quickly becoming the player teammates and coaches can’t stop talking about.
Trent Noah has emerged as one of the biggest leaders during Mark Pope’s summer workouts, earning praise not only for his production on the court but also for the example he sets every day in practice. After spending multiple seasons learning the system, Noah is now taking on a much larger role as one of the team’s veterans.
The latest endorsement came from Iowa State transfer Milan Momcilovic, who didn’t hesitate when asked which player has impressed him the most since arriving in Lexington.
“I think Trent,” Momcilovic said. “Coming into summer, I think he’s been the best player.”
That statement carries weight considering Momcilovic is joining a roster loaded with talent. Instead of pointing to one of Kentucky’s newcomers, he highlighted Noah as the player setting the standard for everyone else.
Momcilovic also revealed that the coaching staff shared advanced practice statistics with the team, and Noah ranked No. 1 in points per possession by a wide margin. Those numbers back up what players have been seeing every day on the practice floor.
Beyond the statistics, Noah’s experience has made him a valuable voice in the locker room. Entering his third year in the program, he understands what Mark Pope expects and has become someone younger teammates can learn from.
Momcilovic praised Noah’s leadership, saying he’s been watching how the veteran approaches practice and prepares each day. As a fellow shooter, he added that learning from Noah has been especially valuable.
Kentucky’s roster features plenty of newcomers, making veteran leadership more important than ever. Noah’s willingness to lead by example has helped create a competitive environment as the Wildcats continue building chemistry ahead of the season.
The excitement surrounding Noah has continued to grow throughout the offseason. Whether it’s his shooting, efficiency, or leadership, he has consistently been mentioned as one of the standout performers in summer workouts.
If these early practices are any indication, Trent Noah may be preparing for the biggest season of his Kentucky career. And as the Wildcats continue their offseason work, it’s becoming increasingly clear that a new leader has stepped forward—and everyone around the program is taking notice.
