HARLAN CO., Ky. (WYMT) - South Carolina has granted Harlan County basketball star Trent Noah a release from his national letter of intent on Tuesday, May 7.

At approximately 12:46 p.m., Noah posted via social media that he requested the release in order to pursue basketball opportunities closer to home.

Noah had originally committed to the Gamecocks back in October 2023.

South Carolina was the only school from the Southeastern Conference that Noah had on his final list when he committed back in October 2023.

Kentucky was not an option for him then, but fans in the area have long called for UK to bring in the Harlan County product and keep the lights-out shooter close to the fan base that has developed for Noah right here in the Mountains.

“Trent had made his staple in this community long before this announcement,” Harlan County High School athletic director Eugene Farmer said. “He’s one of the sweetest and most humble-natured people that you’ll ever meet. As I’ve always said, he is one of the easiest people to root for. So, [we’re] certainly proud and happy for not only him, but also his family. Hopefully, by playing closer to home, they’ll be able to watch him and be a part of it in a more hands-on way.”

The Harlan County basketball star caught the attention of many college basketball programs after his standout 48-point performance in Harlan County’s quarterfinal win over Campbell County at the KHSAA State Finals inside Rupp Arena in Lexington.

“We tell these kids all the time that your life can change in an instant,” Farmer said. “Of all the games he played at the tournament, the Campbell County game was one that I point to where Trent’s life changed. He brought 20,000 people to their feet in unison during that game. I think that that performance that he had at the Sweet 16 led to a rise in recruiting rankings. Once he rose in the recruiting rankings , I think a lot of people started noticing him that hadn’t noticed before.”

This is a potentially exciting move for any UK fans that hope to see another homegrown player added to the men’s basketball team that has recently featured Laurel County’s Reed Sheppard and will have Lyon County’s Travis Perry this coming season.

The men’s basketball program has a deep history in Harlan County.

If Noah goes to UK, he will be the fifth athlete to join this list and the first athlete from Harlan Independent or Harlan County to play men’s basketball for the Wildcats since Dicky Parsons in the late 1950s and early 60s.

Harlan Enterprise Sports Editor John Henson also talked with us about how the potential move of Noah to UK could fit the build of the roster incoming UK men’s basketball head coach Mark Pope has constructed so far in Lexington.

“I think he’d fit in real well there,” Henson said. “I think the fans, as they were at the state tournament when he had such a great four games there, would certainly become a part of his connection at UK.”

We will provide updated coverage on Noah’s latest career move on WYMT Mountain Sports at 11.