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Joakim Noah is currently a two-time All-Star Center for the Chicago Bulls. Noah was drafted from the University of Florida with the 9th pick in the 2007 NBA Draft by the Bulls. Noah led the Gators to back to back championships from 2006 to 2007. Noah was the Final Four Most Outstanding Player in 2006 after helping Florida to victories over Villanova and UCLA. Noah had a spectacular game against Villanova with 26 points, 15 rebounds and 5 blocks and in the championship game against UCLA he had 16 points, 9 rebounds and Final Four championship game record 6 blocks. Noah was selected to the 2006-07 AP All-America 2nd team.

Noah has turned into one of the top three Centers in the NBA this season. Noah is averaging 12.3 points, 11.4 rebounds, 5 assists and 1.6 blocks a game, all are career-highs excepts blocks. He is an all-around player and a player that will be drafted higher in fantasy basketball drafts next year. Noah has recorded three triple-doubles this season and could possibly make the All-NBA First-team. He was selected last season on the 2013 NBA All-Defensive First Team and could make it two years in a row. Noah was selected to 2011 NBA All-Defensive Second Team.

 

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Noah was known at Florida as a player with a lot of energy and a player that loves to play defense. Noah has brought those same skills to the NBA, his free throw shooting has improved along with his ball handling and play-making skills. Noah played most of the fourth quarter in this year’s All-Star game and help lead the East to a come from behind victory over the West. Usually the best players in the league close out the All-Star game when it’s close, which is a sign that Noah is respected among his NBA peers. Noah is a player that doesn’t have to score 20 plus points a night to have a impact, his all-around skills and his defensive mindset is something that would make every coach in the league job much easier.

The Gators are currently ranked number one in their division in this year’s bracket and will look to win their first title since Noah left his junior season. Noah played on one of the best teams in college basketball within the last 10 years or the best team in that time frame. The Gators became the first team to win back to back titles since the Duke Blue Devils did it from 1991-92. Noah can cement his legacy even more by winning MVP of the NBA Finals or leading the Bulls to a NBA championship. That’s going to be a difficult task unless the Bulls improve soon and if Derrick Rose can stay healthy for a full season. The sky is the limit for Noah and we need more athletes like him on the court.

 

2013 NBA All-Star Game

 

 

 

 

Photos courtesy of MarcoNews, USAToday, & BallOverall.com