Chicago Bulls Honor Joakim Noah, Make Him Team Ambassador

CHICAGO — Even after he was gone, Joakim Noah has always held a special place in the hearts of Chicago Bulls fans. Now, the Bulls are bringing him back into the fold.

The Bulls announced Thursday that the former first-round draft pick and NBA Defensive Player of the Year will join the franchise as a team ambassador. Noah, who appeared in 572 regular-season games with the Bulls, was a two-time All-Star. In his role as ambassador, Noah will work with the organization to help build meaningful relationships with the community. The Bulls will also make an annual donation to Noah’s charitable foundation, the Noah’s Ark Foundation.

Noah was honored by the team Thursday night when the Bulls dropped their first game of the season in the loss to the New York Knicks and former coach Tom Thibodeau. Former teammates Derrick Rose and Taj Gibson, along with others – including coach Billy Donovan, who coached Noah at the University Florida, will participate in Joakim Noah Night. The tribute included an 8-minute video honoring the charismatic Noah, who spent nine years with the Bulls before moving on.

“When Joakim played for the Bulls, you could see how much he cared about the kids and everything that’s going on in the city,” Bulls president and COO Michael Reinsdorf said in a statement. “He still comes into town, and he still cares so much. People in Chicago realize that he was more than just a basketball player, he was someone who cared about the community, someone who was going to do his best to make a difference in this world and he has.

"Joakim embodies every quality you’d want in a team ambassador. This is a natural next step for a former player with such strong history of giving back to Chicago.’’

Known for his hustle and passion for energy on the court, Noah averaged 9.3 points per game,9.4 rebounds, 1.4 blocks while playing just under 30 minutes per game. He also appeared in 60 playoff games with the Bulls and ranks first in franchise history in offensive rebounds, third in blocked shots and third in rebounds.

Noah who was also active in community outreach, was the recipient of the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award from the NBA in 2015.

"The energy of this place brought out a crazy side of me," Noah told reporters before Thursday's game. "There were times playing in (the United Center), I couldn't even feel my legs running up and down the court. That's how hyped I and you can't replicate those kind of feelings in anything else in life.

"These feelings are hard to describe but I feel like it was really a blessing to be able to have that for eight, nine years and that was really special."

Rose, the former NBA MVP, said that he always appreciated Noah as a teammate and looked forward to sharing in his special night on Thursday.

“Me and Joakim’s relationship has always been tight, close,” said Rose, who now plays for Thibodeau in New York. “To see him get celebrated is huge.

“A lot of my friends, I wasn’t their favorite player on the team. It was Joakim. For him, everything that he gave to this franchise, the way he gave his all to the game, it means a lot. I’m happy to be here the night they’re celebrating.”