HARLAN, Ky. (WYMT) – The secret is out that Harlan County basketball star Trent Noah will join the Kentucky Wildcats next season and now we have heard from the young man himself.

Watch the full web-exclusive interview above!

The video above shows part of what Noah said about joining the Kentucky Wildcats.

Noah and his family were absolutely ecstatic for the Harlan County product to join an elite group from Harlan County to play on the UK men’s basketball team.

″Just to come from this area and put Kentucky across my chest is definitely an honor,” Noah said. “There is like a special pride that goes about that as well. I’m just super excited that my name is even mentioned with those names. There has been some exceptional athletes [to] come out of Harlan. Those are super special and to just go play at the University of Kentucky is just really a dream come true.”

Noah announced he was joining UK next season via social media on Wednesday, May 8.

He will be just the fifth Harlan Countian to ever suit up as a Wildcat on the men’s basketball team.

The other four prior are listed below:

• Henry Farmer, 1911-13
• Rudy Yessin, 1943-44
• Wah Wah Jones, 1945-49
• Dickie Parsons, 1958-61

Noah will join fellow homegrown talent & Lyon County star guard Travis Perry on the men’s basketball team this coming season.

The community of Harlan is also excited to see Noah hit the court in Lexington as the county’s first Wildcat on the men’s basketball team since Dickie Parsons more than 60 years ago.

Former Harlan Daily Enterprise photographer Chris Jones spoke with WYMT about how sweet it will be to see Noah’s college success after covering him a bit as a youngster.

″This is certainly an honor and he is well-deserving of it,” Jones said. “I think he will do a good job. I’m glad that he has the opportunity to play for Kentucky.”

Harlan resident Will Clem also described how Noah will embody the dreams of so many young athletes to ever play basketball in the Bluegrass.

″I was telling my wife last night,” Clem said. “Every young boy that picks up a basketball, their dream is to play for Kentucky. I’m sure Trent had those dreams and he’s getting to see those dreams fulfilled. So, we’re happy for him and proud of him.”

We will continue to keep our mountain family updated on Noah’s future on WYMT Mountain Sports.

Copyright 2024 WYMT. All rights reserved.