Joakim Noah spent his best years in the NBA as a member of the Chicago Bulls, and in retirement, he is making a return to the organization.
On Thursday, the Bulls organization announced that Noah has joined the franchise as a team ambassador and would be honored at the team’s Thursday night game against the New York Knicks.
“I’m truly humbled to be honored by both the team and city that I have always loved and respected,” Noah said in the Bulls statement. “Even more so to be able to celebrate tonight with family, friends, former players and coaches, and most of all—the Bulls fans who helped drive my energy throughout my years in a Bulls uniform at the United Center. It means so much to me that I’m now a Bull for life. I love you all and am thrilled tonight to solidify my continued connection with the Bulls and the city of Chicago, in this new chapter of my life.”
As a team ambassador, Noah’s role will be to build relationships with people in the city of Chicago, and the Bulls franchise. According to the Bulls’ statement, the team will also make annual donations to Noah’s charity, the Noah’s Arc Foundation.
The team honored him at the United Center in Chicago on Thursday night for “Noah Night” prior to their game against the Knicks.
In 13 seasons in the NBA, Noah held career averages of 8.8 points, 9.0 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game. Noah was a two-time All-Star, three-time All-Defensive team member and the 2013-14 Defensive Player of the Year.
Noah played nine of his 13 seasons in Chicago and helped take the Bulls to the playoffs seven times.
