The guy on the court with one of the best defensive centers, Joakim Noah was born on February 25, 1985, in a well-to-do household. He is well-known for his outstanding performance in college basketball for the Florida Gators winning back-to-back NCAA championships in 2006 and 2007. He was also drafted in the 2007 NBA draft as the ninth overall pick. He is a two-time NBA All-star as a Chicago Bulls player. He is listed as a 22nd on the Franchise leaders’ scoreboard as he scored 5,325 points in a regular season as of 2022.
Joakim Noah has retired from basketball and announced his retirement in March 2021. Altogether in his professional career, he has played in a total of 4 teams: Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks, Memphis Grizzles, and Los Angeles Clippers. He mostly played in a position of a center and he had 13 and 55 as his Jersey number.
5 Facts About Joakim Noah
Joakim Noah holds triple Citizenship
Joakim Noah though has done his studies in the United States of America, and almost lived his entire life in America; he holds multiple citizenship. He holds citizenship in the United States, France, and Sweden making him a triple citizenship holder.
He Co-founded an Organization with his Mother
Joakim Noah and his mother founded the Noah’s Arc foundation. They established this foundation to help provide opportunities for kids to become more aware and conscious of their ability to make a positive impact on themselves and their community. The foundation mainly focuses on youth in Chicago who are in need of help. Noah’s Arc Foundation is registered with the United Nations non-governmental organization and in 2015, the foundation was granted a special consultative status to the United Nations Economic and Social Council.
His controversial $72 Million Contract with New York Knicks
After the end of the contract with the Chicago Bulls, he left the team and signed a four-year contract of $72million with his hometown team, the New York Knicks in 2016.
His contract was criticized as many were not happy with the decision of placing a high value on Noah. This decision quickly turn out to be a terrible one as the injuries, suspension due to violation, and a heated verbal argument with the coach made Noah “the worst signing in the franchise history.”
Joakim was born to a well-known family
Joakim had a privileged life as he was born into a family of well-known people. His father, Yannick Noah was a French singer and also a talented tennis player while her mother Cecilia Rodhe was a former modern, Miss Sweden in 1978, and competed in the Miss Universe in the 1978 beauty pageant.
His father, Yannick Noah has won many titles in tennis in both doubles as well as singles. After retiring from playing tennis, Yannick Noah developed a career as a popular singer performing throughout Europe. His mother, Cecilia Rodhe is a former Miss Sweden and Miss Universe, participant. She is currently a sculptor and is also a co-founder of a foundation named Noah’s Arc Foundation.
His Grandfather was a Cameroonian Professional Soccer Player
Along with her parents’ successful career, his grandfather, Zacharie Noah was a renowned Cameroonian professional soccer player. He won the Coupe de France in 1961 with Sedan-Torcy. Zacharie Noah played as a defender and had previously played for Stade Saint-Germain.
His Relationship Timeline
Joakim Noah keeps his personal and love life private so not everything is known about his past relationships. However, Joakim Noah is happily married to Lais Ribeiro now but had at least two relationships in the past. Noah has been in a relationship with Kristen Ledlow, who is an American television presenter. He is also rumored to have associated with Tatiana Golovin who is a french tennis player.
His Wife and Family Details
He married Brazilian supermodel Lais Ribeiro in July 2022. He met Lais Ribeiro in 2018 and a year later they got engaged at the Burning Man festival. The couple made their relationship public in an Instagram post. The former basketball player has been in a relationship with the Brazilian model for more than 3 years before tying the knot.
Lais Ribeiro is a Brazilian supermodel who made her first catwalk debut in 2001. she became a Victoria’s Secret Angel in 2015. She has a successful modeling career and has been a face for many magazines worldwide.
They together have a baby boy whose existence was made public in November 2019. Joakim Noah is also the father of Leile Irie, born from a previous relationship. Lais Ribeiro is also the mother of 12 years old Alexander.
Awards & Achievements
NCAA
- 2006 Associated Press (Ap) All-SEC First Team
- Named an Honourable Mention All- American by AP.
- Most Outstanding Player in 2006 Final Four
- NCAA Division I men’s basketball champion – 2006,2007
NBA
- 2 times NBA All-Star (2013,2014)
- All-NBA First Team (2014)
- NBA Defensive Player of the Year (2014)
- 2 times NBA All-Defensive First Team (2013,2014)
- NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2011)
- 2 times NCAA champion (2006,2007)
- NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player (2006)
- Consensus second-team All-American (2007)