Kentucky head coach John Calipari, center, celebrates with his team after the NCAA Final Four tournament college basketball championship game against Kansas Monday, April 2, 2012, in New Orleans. Kentucky won 67-59. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Top prospect Nerlens Noel announced Wednesday night he's joining Kentucky, bolstering the Wildcats' hopes of defending their recent national championship and finishing with a fourth consecutive No. 1 recruiting class.

The 6-foot-10 center from the Tilton School in New Hampshire selected the Wildcats over Syracuse and Georgetown on Wednesday night. He shaved a "UK" in the back of his signature flat top hairstyle.

The Wildcats won their eighth title in school history just over a week ago. Kentucky freshmen Anthony Davis, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Marquis Teague and sophomores Doron Lamb and Terrence Jones have until April 29 to decide whether to enter the NBA draft.

If they all depart, Kentucky's projected starting rotation is likely sophomores Ryan Harrow and Kyle Wiltjer and freshmen Archie Goodwin, Alex Poythress and Noel.