ATHENS, Tenn. — The Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) announced its 2026 Hall of Fame Class on Friday afternoon, and for the first time in school history, a Montreat College student-athlete landed among the league's inductees. According to the conference's release, former Cavalier men's basketball standout Noble Anthony joined four other AAC honorees in the third annual Hall of Fame Class.
 
Anthony helped power a sustained stretch of team success for the Montreat College men's basketball program. From 2003-07, the Charlotte, N.C., native played in 130 games. During that span, the Cavs went 73-57 overall and 52-19 in AAC play, winning the league's regular-season title in both 2005-06 and 2006-07, as well as the tournament crown in 2005-06. Anthony was named Tournament MVP when Montreat cut down the nets. Beyond the conference level, Anthony was part of the program's only NAIA National Tournament win in program history, as the Cavaliers took down the No. 12 overall seed, the University of Sioux Falls Cougars, 92-83 in the Round of 32. That 2005-06 season still stands as program's lone trip to the NAIA's Sweet 16.
 
Individually, Anthony racked up the accolades as well. His debut season featured an AAC All-Freshman Team nod in 2003-04. The following three years, Anthony captured spots on the All-AAC First Team and the AAC All-Defensive Team. As both a junior and a senior, Anthony secured the league's Defensive Player of the Year recognition, and in his final season, he also claimed AAC Player of the Year honors.
 
Statistically, Anthony averaged 14.5 points per game and 9.5 rebounds per game across his 130 appearances in a Montreat jersey. In total, he accumulated 1,886 points, 1,238 rebounds, 167 steals, 106 blocks and 103 assists. Anthony shot 58.7 percent from the floor as a Cav, draining 783 of his 1,135 shots. For all his efforts and the way he represented the men's basketball program and Montreat College as an institution, Anthony earned the retirement of his No. 34 jersey, which hangs on display inside McAlister Gymnasium. Now, Anthony joins the AAC Hall of Fame as a member of its Class of 2026.
 
The 2026 AAC Hall of Fame Class is the third class to be inducted. Established in 2024, the AAC Hall of Fame now features 15 inductees. This year's Hall of Fame ceremony will take place on Sunday, Nov. 15, at the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce in Kingsport, Tenn.
 
For a look at the entire 2026 AAC Hall of Fame Class, click here.
 
Anthony currently lives in the Charlotte area and works as a braillist for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.