“Media Day Darling”: Why Trent Noah & Denzel Aberdeen Stole the Spotlight
When Kentucky men’s basketball held its 2025 Media Day, two names kept coming up in nearly every locker‐room conversation and press interaction: Trent Noah and Denzel Aberdeen. They weren’t just mentioned—they were lauded. Teammates, coaches, and observers all painted vivid pictures of why these two might be pivotal for Kentucky’s ambitions this season.
In what became a recurring theme, players around the program didn’t hold back: they described Noah’s shooting as “otherworldly,” and Aberdeen as bringing energy, toughness, and impact on both ends of the floor.
Let’s dig into how the praise unfolded, what it reveals about their roles, and what fans might expect from the Wildcats this year.
Denzel Aberdeen: The Energizer, the Underrated Two-Way Threat
From Florida to Lexington—a fresh start
Aberdeen arrived at Kentucky via transfer from Florida, where he was part of a national championship squad. Though he wore that title proudly, his narrative often included the idea that his full potential wasn’t fully unlocked in Gainesville. As teammates put it, in Lexington, he’s finally getting his stage.
Jaland Lowe, one of his new teammates, opened candidly:
- “I was familiar with Denzel when he was at Florida … always thought he was pretty good. But since he’s been here, I see how much of a threat he is, how hard he works … he’s going to surprise a lot of people this year.”
That “surprise factor” came up repeatedly. Aberdeen is being framed as a “dark horse” — not just because of his past, but because of how Kentucky’s roster might amplify what he brings: defense, energy, and flashes of scoring.
Energy, defense, and clutch contributions
Aberdeen is no one‐dimensional shooter. He presents as a two‐way piece, someone who will guard tough matchups and push the tempo. In offseason workouts and early press, he expressed how much he wants to be known as someone who stays active in all phases:
“I think I’m a big energy-booster … whether we’re up or down, I’m always in there to make sure we keep the lead or come back … defensively, I’m always trying to guard the best guys … my energy is a big part of my game.
That mindset has earned praise. The idea is: having a player who doesn’t need to score all the time but still impacts games—through hustle, defense, and game‐changing plays—is precious on a deep team.
Also, his transition from “new guy” to “team staple” seems to be going smoothly. In interviews, he’s spoken of chemistry, camaraderie, and fitting into a culture of high expectations.
As Kentucky’s supporting cast, Aberdeen might become the sort of glue player that doesn’t always grab headlines but whose absence is felt if not present.
Trent Noah: The Shooter Whose Work Commands Respect
From potential to point of conversation
If Aberdeen drew admiration for what he adds in energy and two-way play, Trent Noah drew reverence for one central ability: shooting. Numerous teammates and observers described his accuracy in practice, and how he’s developing into a legitimate scoring threat
One of the most emphatic endorsements came from Jaland Lowe:
“Trent Noah, I told people earlier … he’s definitely one of the best shooters I’ve ever seen … in practice … he was shooting like 90% …
That stat—90% in practice over a stretch—isn’t just hyperbole floated in a sound bite. It matters to his teammates because action in practice often signals confidence and predictability. If the guy can be that reliable when defenses are off, imagine when the lights are on.
Elite efficiency and performance metrics
Media Day also brought out some telling numbers. During scrimmage sessions, Noah is averaging 1.76 points per possession—a mark that coaches and press indicated they don’t often see at the college level.
If that metric holds up into competitive games, it suggests that Noah doesn’t just shoot well—he shoots efficiently, with purpose. That kind of efficiency can swing close games, especially when defenses tighten and possessions become precious.
What’s more: he’s not just a shooter. Teammates say he does the small things—moving without the ball, making reads, cutting, playing team defense. A shooter who buys into everything else becomes far more dangerous.
It’s no wonder that in team discussions about “traits I’d take from a teammate,” many cited Noah’s shot-making.
From one On3 piece:
“Malachi Moreno: ‘Wish I could add Trent Noah’s shot-making. I feel like we’re in practice and anytime he gets the ball, I just know it’s going in the rim.’”
That kind of confidence from your peers speaks volumes—not just as a compliment, but as a signal of respect and expectation.
What This Praise Means for Kentucky’s Season
Depth, not just stars
When two names repeatedly rise in locker rooms and media conversations as “standouts among standouts,” it means a few things:
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The depth of the squad is strong.
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Leadership is emerging—not just from seniors, but from players like Noah and Aberdeen.
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Confidence is high among the group.
It also sends a message to opponents: underestimating supporting pieces is dangerous.
Pressure and expectation
With praise comes pressure. If media and teammates hype up players, fans will expect them to deliver. Noah and Aberdeen will be watched closely. They’ll be asked to carry their praise into regular season games, especially in pivotal moments.
Yet, in their favor: Kentucky is a high‐expectation environment. Players arriving now know what they’re signing up for. In many ways, the praise reinforces that they are up for the challenge.
Roles clearly defined
For the Wildcats to truly contend, roles must be clear. Based on Media Day:
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Noah is likely to be a primary shooter, spacing the floor and punishing defenses from deep.
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Aberdeen may serve as the engine—energy, defense, transition touches, and making the timely play.
Together, they complement each other and balance out Kentucky’s dynamic. The “threat-offense” meets “effort‐offense + defense” blend.
Potential for breakout seasons
A narrative forming is that both are set for breakout seasons. One as a sharpshooter whose every catch-and-shoot is feared; the other as a multi-dimensional role player who changes momentum with hustle, defense, and occasional scoring punches.
If they deliver, Kentucky’s ceiling moves up. If they underwhelm, people will still remark on the hype—but that’s risk that comes with recognition.
Media Day might be more flash than substance—but when two names keep echoing in praise from all corners, it’s worth paying attention. Trent Noah and Denzel Aberdeen didn’t just get lip service. Their teammates and coaches spoke as if these two are already core to Kentucky’s identity this season.
If they live up to those words, the Wildcats will be deeper, more dangerous, and more resilient than many thought. If they fall short—even a little—the gap between promise and performance will be the defining story.
Whatever happens, one thing is clear: Kentucky’s supporting cast will not be overlooked. The season just got more interesting.
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