Joakim Noah

Joakim Noah played 13 years in the NBA (9 with the Chicago Bulls). He was a 2 time NBA all star (2013/2014), 2014 Defensive Player of the Year and 2015 winner of the J. Walter Kennedy award for citizenship. He made the All NBA First Team in 2014. 

Prior to playing in the NBA, Joakim starred at the University of Florida where he won back to back National Championships in 2006 and 2007, winning Most Outstanding Player in 2006. 

In 2010, along with his mother, the sculptor and expressive art therapist Cecilia Rodhe, Joakim started the Noah’s Arc Foundation, which aims to give youth a stronger sense of self using art and sports as tools for development. Noah’s Arc has worked extensively with youth in Chicago, as well as Joakim’s father Yannick’s hometown of Yaounde, Cameroon. The foundation continues to operate in Chicago and in continental Africa to this day. 

Joakim officially retired from the NBA in 2021 and was named a community ambassador for the Chicago Bulls, partnering with the organization he starred for to effect positive change in the city of Chicago.

In 2021, Joakim was one of a select group of NBA Legends who invested in NBA Africa, a group that will conduct the leagues business throughout the continent and aims to grow the sport of basketball in Africa on all levels. 

In 2022, Joakim was named an ambassador for the Basketball Africa League, highlighting his vision and commitment to the African diaspora on a global level. 

In 2023, Joakim in conjunction with his Noah’s Arc Foundation restarted the ONE CITY Basketball League in Chicago with 28 different violence interruption groups. ONE CITY aims to create unity and community in the west and south sides of Chicago. ONE CITY is unique in using basketball as a hook to provide other programs such as conflict mediation, job training, financial literacy, creative workshops and family services. All participants, coaches and coordinators of ONE CITY are financially compensated. 

In 2023, Joakim was named an ambassador to the NBA. He serves in his role admirably on a global level attending NBA events and activations around the world including Jr. NBA, NBA All-Star and NBA Finals. His duties include working with the leagues media and marketing partners. This partnership aligns with Joakim’s mission to use basketball as a tool to unite people of all backgrounds.