4-star Gamecocks basketball signee not coming to South Carolina after all

Jordan Kaye
On3 screenshot

Trent Noah is leaving South Carolina before he even steps on campus.

Noah, a four-star men’s basketball prospect from Baxter, Kentucky, was one of South Carolina’s biggest signings for the Class of 2024. The 6-foot-6, 200-pound forward committed to the Gamecocks in October and signed his National Letter of Intent (NLI) a month later.

But on Tuesday, Noah announced he was granted a release from his NLI and will reopen his recruitment “with hopes of pursuing basketball opportunities closer to home,” he wrote.

“I appreciate coach (Lamont) Paris’ genuine investment in me, both on and off the court,” Noah added, “and his compassion and professionalism during this process.”

He originally picked South Carolina over finalists Western Kentucky, Butler and Richmond.

Noah’s decision opens up a scholarship spot for Lamont Paris’ team. As of last week, it looked like South Carolina’s roster was set.

The Gamecocks got four-star guard Cam Scott to flip his commitment from Texas, adding a versatile 6-5 scorer. Not long after, South Carolina secured one of the biggest transfer-portal additions under Paris, earning the services of Alabama transfer forward Nick Pringle. Then USC added the cherry on top by bringing on Norfolk State transfer point guard Jamarii Thomas.

After Noah’s departure, it’s possible the Gamecocks add another high school forward or fill the gap through the transfer portal.

South Carolina roster tracker

  • Confirmed returners: Jacobi Wright, guard; Myles Stute, guard; Zachary Davis, guard; Collin Murray-Boyles

  • Expected returners: Austin Herro, guard; Eli Sparkman, guard; Morris Ugusuk, guard; Danny Grajzl, guard; Arden Conyers, guard; Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk, forward

  • Incoming freshmen: Okku Federiko, forward; Cam Scott, guard

  • Coming via transfer portal: Jordan Butler (Missouri), center; Nick Pringle (Alabama), center; Jamarii Thomas (Norfolk State), guard

  • Leaving via transfer portal: Meechie Johnson, guard (Ohio State); Ebrima Dibba, guard; Josh Gray, forward

  • Leaving/out of eligibility: Ta’Lon Cooper, guard; BJ Mack, forward; Stephen Clark, forward

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