Obadiah Noel Bio
Obadiah Arthur Noel (born June 28, 1999) is an American-Guyanese professional basketball player who most recently played for the Westchester Knicks of the NBA G League. A 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) shooting guard, he has built his career through college basketball at UMass Lowell and a series of stints across the NBA G League and international basketball. He is recognized for his scoring ability, perimeter play, and defensive versatility.
Since going undrafted in the 2021 NBA draft, Noel has competed for the Raptors 905, Westchester Knicks, Indiana Mad Ants, and APR of the Rwanda Basketball League and the Basketball Africa League (BAL). In 2025, he earned All-BAL Defensive First Team honors after helping APR post the best finish ever by a Rwandan team in BAL history.
Early Life and Background
Obadiah Arthur Noel was born on June 28, 1999, in Frederick, Maryland, in the United States. He grew up in the Frederick area, where he first developed his interest in basketball and began playing the sport at a young age. His athletic build and skill set quickly set him apart from many of his peers in local youth basketball circles.
Noel began his high school career at Saint John’s Catholic Prep in Buckeystown, Maryland. He later transferred to Tuscarora High School in Frederick, Maryland, where he played under coach Darryl Whiten. During his senior season at Tuscarora, Noel scored 41 points in a single game and averaged 22.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per contest. He was named Frederick County Player of the Year for his dominant play.
Following high school, Noel committed to the University of Massachusetts Lowell, the only program to offer him a scholarship. His path from a lightly recruited prospect to a college standout laid the foundation for his professional basketball career.
Path to Basketball
At UMass Lowell, Noel joined the River Hawks and quickly worked his way into the rotation. As a freshman, he averaged 6.5 points per game off the bench and earned a spot on the America East All-Rookie Team, signaling his potential as a long-term contributor.
As a sophomore, Noel averaged 14.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2 assists per game, showing steady improvement. His junior year brought another leap, with averages of 18.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.7 assists, earning him First Team All-America East honors. Although he initially declared for the 2020 NBA draft, he withdrew and returned to UMass Lowell to continue his development.
During his senior season, Noel averaged 21.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game, once again earning First Team All-America East recognition. He also became the second River Hawk to surpass 1,500 career points during the Division I era. He declared for the 2021 NBA draft and was named to the All-Combine team at the Tampa Bay Pro Combine before going undrafted.
Obadiah Noel Career
Early Career (2021–2022)
After going undrafted in the 2021 NBA draft, Obadiah Arthur Noel signed with Raptors 905 of the NBA G League in November 2021 following a successful tryout. He quickly earned minutes as a perimeter scorer and showed flashes of his college form at the professional level.
On January 6, 2022, Noel scored a career-high 28 points in a 103–94 win against the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, establishing himself as a scoring option for the team. His play during the 2021–22 season provided a foundation for the next stage of his career before he was waived on December 12, 2022.
Westchester Knicks Breakthrough (2022–2024)
On December 14, 2022, Obadiah Arthur Noel signed with the Westchester Knicks of the NBA G League, beginning the longest and most productive stretch of his professional career. He was part of the Westchester Knicks team that won the 2023 NBA G League Showcase Cup, a major team accomplishment during his tenure.
On August 3, 2023, Noel signed with the New York Knicks, the parent club of the Westchester Knicks, providing a brief window with the NBA organization. He was later waived on September 6, 2023, and returned to Westchester, where he was named to the opening night roster on November 9, 2023. His two seasons with the Knicks organization built his reputation as a reliable scoring guard and perimeter defender.
APR Era (2024–Present)
On April 19, 2024, Obadiah Arthur Noel signed with APR of the Rwanda Basketball League and the Basketball Africa League, marking his first international basketball opportunity. He made his APR debut in the semi-final of the Genocide Memorial Tournament, posting 26 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists against REG.
On November 18, 2024, Noel was acquired by the Indiana Mad Ants, returning to the NBA G League for the 2024–25 season. On May 11, 2025, he returned to APR for a second stint in Rwanda, approximately one week before the start of the 2025 BAL season. He helped APR finish in third place, the best result by a Rwandan team in BAL history, while averaging 13.9 points and 3.2 assists per game and earning All-BAL Defensive First Team recognition.
Driving Style and Strengths
Obadiah Arthur Noel is known for his perimeter scoring, three-point shooting, and ability to create offense in transition. His size at 6 ft 4 in, combined with his quickness and shooting range, makes him an effective two-guard. Defensively, he has earned All-BAL Defensive First Team honors, reflecting his ability to guard multiple positions and disrupt passing lanes.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key milestones in Noel’s career include becoming the second UMass Lowell player to surpass 1,500 points in the Division I era, scoring a career-high 35 points against Illinois State in college, scoring 28 points against the Fort Wayne Mad Ants in the NBA G League, and helping APR achieve the best-ever BAL finish for a Rwandan team in 2025.
Obadiah Noel Career Wins
Obadiah Arthur Noel has collected notable team and individual accomplishments across the NBA G League and the Basketball Africa League. His most significant team win came with the Westchester Knicks as the 2023 NBA G League Showcase Cup champion. At the international level, he helped APR finish third in the 2025 BAL season, the best finish ever by a Rwandan team in league history.
NBA G League Highlights
During his time with the Westchester Knicks, Noel was part of the roster that captured the 2023 NBA G League Showcase Cup. Across his G League stops with Raptors 905, Westchester Knicks, and Indiana Mad Ants, he has been a consistent perimeter contributor, with his career-high 28-point performance against the Fort Wayne Mad Ants standing as one of his most notable individual showings.
Other Wins and Performances
In the Basketball Africa League, Noel helped APR secure third place in 2025, a historic result for a Rwandan team. He also reached the semi-final of the Genocide Memorial Tournament during his first stint with APR in 2024, where he posted 26 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists in his debut.
Obadiah Noel Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Obadiah Arthur Noel’s family background is limited. He grew up in the Frederick, Maryland, area, where he attended Saint John’s Catholic Prep and later Tuscarora High School. Details about his parents and any athletic lineage within his family are not publicly documented.
Personal Life
Obadiah Arthur Noel maintains a focus on his professional basketball career across the NBA G League and the Basketball Africa League. Public details about his marital status, spouse, and children are not widely available.
2025 Season Performance
Obadiah Arthur Noel began the 2025 calendar year with the Indiana Mad Ants, where he continued his work as a perimeter scorer and defender in the NBA G League. On May 11, 2025, he returned to APR for a second stint in Rwanda, rejoining the club just before the start of the 2025 BAL season.
Noel played a central role in APR’s 2025 BAL campaign, helping the team finish in third place, the best result in BAL history for a Rwandan franchise. He averaged 13.9 points and 3.2 assists per game during the season, providing steady scoring and playmaking while anchoring the team’s perimeter defense.
Following the BAL season, Noel was named to the All-BAL Defensive First Team, capping a strong 2025 performance on the international stage. With ongoing contributions to APR and his G League experience, he remains an active and productive professional basketball player.