By Pierre-Andréa Fraile | Sports journalist
Born in New York, Joakim Noah nevertheless spent a good part of his childhood in France. This, before returning during his adolescence to the United States to complete his basketball training… and receive a very special welcome.
In an era where it was not so common to see French hopefuls leave for the other side of the Atlantic to pursue their NBA dreams, he took this risk. It must be said that Joakim Noah displayed certain American roots as a native of New York. This choice to return to his native land nevertheless paid off, since it allowed him to make his way to the league where he spent no less than 13 years.
Joakim Noah honest about the American public’s treatment of him
As a former All-Star and Defender of the Year, Noah can reasonably be considered to have made NBA history. Fans still remember him as a brave and valuable player for the Bulls, but also for some as a real enemy with a strong tongue. A reputation on which the international tricolor had agreed to speak out on the show Highly Questionable :
Joakim Noah : If I like playing the role of the bad guy? I like to receive energy, whether positive or negative. This is what gives me strength. I’ve always loved playing outside and I think the hate I get pushes me to play even harder.
A strange vocation which, according to him, dates back to his high school years, during which opposing supporters particularly tried to provoke him regarding… his French origins:
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Joakim Noah : I always loved it. From the first time. I remember when I played on the high school circuit, people knew I was French so they would yell, “USA!” USA! » in the stands. It gave me lots of energy! And when I got to college, they were like, “Noah, cut your hair!” » or “Be a little more classy!” » It got worse over time, but it was cool. I loved it.
When many young players barely 15 years old would have had a hard time playing in such a climate, Jooks managed, according to him, to turn it into a strength. No wonder, then, that the hostile atmospheres towards him that he faced in the NBA did not intimidate him. On the contrary, it tended to give him wings and push him to redouble his efforts for his team.
Impervious from an early age, the ex-center was able to have a successful high school career in different establishments in New York and New Jersey. Considered a 4-star prospect at the end of his course, he was then one of the 75 best players in his age group in the United States. This, before exploding into the ranks of the Florida Gators and being selected with the 9th pick of the 2007 Draft.
A simple French prospect from Levallois upon his arrival in the United States, Joakim Noah was almost logically the subject of patriotic chants from the fans of the teams he faced. Songs which paradoxically tended to benefit him.
2024-05-25 21:59:34
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