This is news that will not surprise anyone: Joakim Noah is retiring.
That's what Shams Charania of
The Athletic
and
Stadium
reports
.
Yannick's 36-year-old son was released by the Los Angeles Clippers last December.
From that moment on, we knew very well that we would never see him again on the floors.
Especially since his agent, Bill Duffy, declared this in the wake, on
ESPN
: “What an illustrious career for Joakim, who started with two national titles at the University of Florida, went on to become NBA Defensive Player of the Year and ultimately become one of the most passionate and fiery players in our sport.
I had the honor of representing Joakim throughout his career. ”
A journey that has therefore come to an end, a little less than six months after his last appearance on the boards, on September 13, for one minute during the defeat of the Clips against Denver (98-111), in the play-offs, in the bubble.
One of his only two matches with the Californian club.
13-year NBA center Joakim Noah - a two-time All-Star and former Defensive Player of the Year winner - is effectively retiring from basketball, sources tell @ TheAthletic @ Stadium.
Plan is for the longtime Chicago star to eventually retire as a Bull.
- Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 1, 2021
Twice NCAA champion with the Gators (2006, 2007), ninth pick in the 2007 Draft, twice All Star (2013, 2014), best defenseman in the league (2014), Noah went through Chicago (2007-16), New York (2016-18), Memphis (2018-19) and finally the LA Clippers (2020).
He will have played a total of 672 regular season matches (8.8 pts, 9 rbs, 2.8 pds, 1.3 co / game) and 62 in the play-offs (9.3 pts, 10.6 rbs, 2, 7 rbs, 1.7 co / game), he who notably guided the Bulls to the Conference finals in 2011, and who is the best pivot in the history of this club.
"Jooks" has more than $ 131 million in wages over his entire career, including a four-year $ 76 million greenback contract in NYC in 2016.
A player apart
Alas, if he marked the history of the Illinois club, Noah did not have the same success in the franchise of his hometown.
Between injuries and suspension, he could never fully express his qualities at Madison Square Garden, before being fired in 2018, to relaunch with the Grizzlies and to try a last freelance in Los Angeles.
Symbolically, he should sign for Chicago in order to bow out as a Bulls player, according to Shams Charania.
Last but not least, Noah, who spent part of his youth in the Paris region before returning to New York with his family, appeared 22 times in the jersey of the France team, in 2009 and 2011. He had contributed to the conquest of the silver medal at Euro 2011, in Poland, without participating in the Olympic adventure the following year.
Noah, a strong character (ask LeBron James), unparalleled enthusiasm and ardor.
A player apart in the world of French and US basketball.
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