In the NBA today, Joakim Noah is often considered one of the better centers in the NBA. He is a beast on the boards and is regarded as one of the best defensive centers in the league. The Swedish-Cameroonian is one of the key players for the Chicago Bulls, largely due to his consistency and durability. Noah has great athletes in his family and he is continuing the trend. At only 28 years old, Noah is in his prime as an NBA player.
Early Life
Noah was born on February 25, 1985 in New York, New York. His father, Yannick Noah, was a professional tennis player and a French singer. His mother, Cecilia Rodhe, was a Swedish national. His grandfather was from Cameroon, where he was a professional soccer player. At the age of three, Noah and his parents moved to Paris, France, where they lived for ten years.
When Noah returned to the US, he began playing basketball for the United Nations International School. Noah rarely saw his father while in high school, largely because Yannick was a professional tennis player. His father was a French superstar and even managed to win the French Open. Joakim had great success in high school, especially after transferring to Lawrenceville School, a boarding prep school.
He even managed to beat top recruit J.R. Smith’s team twice, the second time to win the state championship. As a senior, Noah was a highly touted big man, fielding offers from Virginia, Notre Dame, Maryland, and Florida. He was unanimously ranked as a four star recruit and was considered one of the top players at his position. He committed to the University of Florida on October 15, 2003.
College Career
In his freshman season at Florida, Noah played sparingly. He was behind numerous talented big men on the team, most notably David Lee and Al Horford. In his freshman year Florida lost in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Noah averaged four points and three rebounds on the season.
In his sophomore year, Noah earned the starting job, and the frontline of Horford and himself formed one of the more efficient in the nation. On the season he averaged 14 points, seven rebounds, and two blocks per game. The Noah led Gators went on to win the NCAA Tournament, largely impart to Noah’s stellar performance in the final four.
Over the course of the season Noah went from unknown to highly touted. Many people believed that he was one of the top draft prospects in the nation, and if he had declared he would have surely been a top five selection. However, Noah decided to stay for his junior season, as did teammates Al Horford and Corey Brewer.
Upon entering his junior year, Noah and the Gators had high expectations. The reigning NCAA Champions had returned all five starters, and were expected to compete for another championship. Noah led the team to a 35-5 record and the number one seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Noah and his teammates continued to win; eventually beating the Greg Oden led Ohio State Buckeyes in the National Championship game. This victory marked the Gators second consecutive National Championship. In his junior year, Noah averaged 12 points, eight rebounds, and two blocks per game. Despite his success in college, Noah’s draft stock was not nearly as high as it was the year before. Nonetheless, Noah and his teammates Corey Brewer and Al Horford, declared for the 2007 NBA Draft.
NBA Career
Noah was selected ninth in the 2007 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bull, six spots and three spots behind teammates Al Horford and Corey Brewer, respectively. The 2007 Draft was full of talented prospects, especially in the center and power forward position.
This stiff competition led to Noah’s fall in the draft. In his first few seasons as a pro, Noah backed up veteran centers Ben Wallace and Drew Gooden. Entering his third season as a pro, Noah finally earned the starting center position. He achieved career highs in every statistical category including; points, rebounds, blocks, and assists. Noah missed 18 games due to injury, but still managed to average a double-double on the season.
Before the start of his fourth season, Noah and the Bulls agreed to a five year, $60 million contract. Unfortunately, Noah suffered ligament damage to his hand, forcing him to miss 8-10 weeks. Noah was able to return after missing over thirty games, but he was very ineffective and was forced to miss numerous other games during the season.
Despite the injuries, Noah was once again able to average a double-double on the season and was able to improve his point’s total. Noah’s real breakout year came in the 2012-2013 season, in which he was named to his first all-star game.
He averaged 12 points, 11 rebounds, two blocks, and one assist per game, all of which were career highs. While the Bulls have not been all that successful in the Playoffs, Noah plays some of his best basketball in them, averaging 11 points, 11 rebounds, two blocks, and two and a half assists in 43 games.
Personal Information and other accolades
Noah has American, French, and Cameroonian citizenship
Noah’s father was one of France’s biggest stars when Joakim was a child
Noah competes for the French national team, although he did not play for the team in the 2012 Olympics due to injury
Noah is fluent in French
In 2008, Noah was arrested for having alcohol and marijuana in Florida
He was named the Most Outstanding Player in the 2006 NCAA Finals
Noah was sponsored by Le Coq Sportif until 2013
On February 22, 2012, Noah posted his first career triple double, making him the first Bulls center since 1977 to do so