By Keith Taylor
Kentucky Today
Trent Noah has decided to stay home.
The former Harlan County standout announced Sunday that he would return for his junior season instead of entering the transfer portal, which officially opened on April 7. Noah joined Kam Williams, Reece Potter and Braydon Hawthorne on a list of returnees next season.
“I’m back,” Noah said on a social media post. ”Let’s go to work, BBN.”
Noah averaged 3.0 points and 2.4 rebounds and played in 27 games during his sophomore campaign. Noah played solid minutes off the bench and scored a career-high 16 points in a win over Tennessee Tech, and had 11 points against North Carolina Central.
Prior to the postseason, Kentucky coach Mark Pope wasn’t worried about Noah’s contributions, especially on offense.
“I don’t worry about Trent Noah making shots,” Pope said last month “He’ll make shots, he’s gonna make shots through the course of it. I spend zero time on that, but I do think he’s given us positive energy, positive physicality, positive ball security.”
Kam Williams, Reece Potter, Braydon Hawthorne and Noah are the current holdovers from last year’s roster who are expected to return next season.
Since the portal officially opened last Tuesday, Denzel Aberdeen, Jasper Johnson, Mo Dioubate, Collin Chandler, Brandon Garrison, Jaland Lowe and Andrija Jelevic have entered the portal, while Malachi Moreno declared for the NBA Draft, with an option to return next year.
Chandler was the biggest surprise of the off-season to declare for the portal and opted to return to Utah, committing to BYU. Chandler, a native of Farmington, Utah, committed to BYU under Pope before taking an overseas trip for two seasons. He followed Pope to Kentucky, where he played the past two years.
Jelavic has committed to Ohio State, where he will play for the Buckeyes next season. Jelavic started the last 20 games and averaged 5.5 points and four rebounds per game. He tallied double figures in four games for the Wildcats.
“I know all of you might currently have mixed feelings about me, but I do not have mixed feelings about you,” he said in a social media post. “I love every single one of you, and I thank you for all the love and support you gave me this year.
“You have not just been incredible fans every game, no matter whether it was at home or on the road, but you have been even more incredible people outside the court. It would not feel right to just leave without letting you know how much I appreciate and love you and will forever.”
Denzel Abderdeen is returning to Florida but will need a waiver to be eligible for a fifth season and a fourth in Gainesville.
Perry leaves Ole Miss
Former Mr. Kentucky and Lyon County standout Travis Perry has entered the transfer portal after one season at Ole Miss.
Perry scored 32 points during the Rebels’ four games in the Southeastern Conference Tournament and helped the Rebels reach the semifinals while trying to save their season.
Perry transferred to Ole Miss after just one season at Kentucky and is back in the portal for the second time in his collegiate career.