March 11, 2013

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Kentucky freshman Nerlens Noelhas been named to the Southeastern Conference Community Service team for men’s basketball as announced by the league office on Monday.

Noel has given more than 100 hours of his time in the community since his arrival at UK. He spent time this summer working as a mentor at the New England Child Services “MARK” mentoring program. Noel surprised a number of folks at a nursing home in Lexington and spent time taking photos and conversing with residents. Furthermore, he attended a Special Olympics event and signed autographs and spent time taking pictures.

He has volunteered at a children’s basketball camp and promoted Lane Goodwin (child with cancer) through social media to help send well wishes to the young boy and his family. Noel has on a few occasions visited with children at the UK Children’s Hospital since coming to Lexington.

The freshman has also collaborated with his teammates in several team-oriented events such as a coat drive, the Hurricane Sandy telethon, volunteering at Campton Elementary school and with Samaritan’s Feet.

Noel capped his season averaging 10.5 points and 9.5 rebounds per game before his season-ending knee injury. The 6-10 forward logged 106 blocks and 50 steals in just 24 games of action. He ranks second in UK single-season history for his block total, and joins Anthony Davisas the only two players in school history to accumulate 70 or more blocks and 50 or more steals in a single season.

This marks the 15th year for the SEC Community Service Team for men’s basketball as well as for women’s basketball. All 20 league-sponsored sports have had a Community Service Team since 2004, with at-large teams for men’s and women’s sports being chosen from 1999-2003. The SEC began this concept with a football Community Service Team in 1994.