Career Timeline of Joakim Noah: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Joakim Noah, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Joakim Noah is a retired professional basketball player who played college basketball at the University of Florida where he won two national championships. Drafted ninth overall by the Chicago Bulls in 2007, Noah became a two-time NBA All-Star. In 2014, he earned All-NBA First Team honors and was named NBA Defensive Player of the Year, marking the pinnacle of his career.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1987: Michael Jordan wins Defensive Player of the Year

In the 1987-88 season, Michael Jordan won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award. On April 21, 2014, Joakim Noah was awarded the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award and became the second Chicago Bull to win it after Michael Jordan.

2004: Joakim Noah joins Florida Gators

In 2004, Joakim Noah received an athletic scholarship to play basketball for the University of Florida under coach Billy Donovan.

2005: Shift to Center Position

In 2005, during his sophomore year, Joakim Noah was moved to the center position, leading the team in points and blocks.

April 3, 2006: NCAA Championship Victory and MOP Award

On April 3, 2006, Joakim Noah led the Florida Gators to a 73-57 victory over the UCLA Bruins in the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship Game, securing the school's first NCAA basketball championship. He was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four, scoring 16 points, grabbing 9 rebounds, and blocking a championship game record 6 shots.

2006: Consideration for NBA Draft and Return to Gators

By the end of the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament in 2006, Joakim Noah declared for the NBA draft, but he, along with teammates Al Horford and Corey Brewer, decided to return for their junior seasons at the University of Florida.

2006: NCAA Championship with Florida Gators

In 2006, Joakim Noah, playing for the Florida Gators, won the NCAA championship.

November 6, 2007: NBA Regular Season Debut

On November 6, 2007, Joakim Noah made his NBA regular season debut for the Chicago Bulls, scoring 2 points and grabbing 4 rebounds.

2007: Second NCAA Championship and NBA Draft

In 2007, Joakim Noah won his second consecutive NCAA championship with the Florida Gators. Later that year, he was selected by the Chicago Bulls with the ninth overall pick in the NBA draft.

2007: Second Championship with the Gators

In 2007, with Joakim Noah's contributions, the Florida Gators secured their second championship in two years.

2008: Averaged 6.7 points and 7.6 rebounds per game

During the 2008-09 regular season, Noah averaged 6.7 points and 7.6 rebounds per game for the Chicago Bulls.

July 24, 2009: First Appearance for France National Team

On July 24, 2009, Joakim Noah made his first appearance for the senior France national team in a friendly match against Austria, scoring 16 points and grabbing 9 rebounds.

2009: Averages During 2009-10 Season

During the 2009-10 season, Joakim Noah averaged 10.7 points and 11.0 rebounds per game for the Chicago Bulls, though he played only 64 games due to injury.

2009: Key Playoff Performance

In 2009, Noah made a key play in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference first-round playoff series against the Boston Celtics, stealing the ball and making a dunk in the third overtime, helping the Bulls win the game.

October 4, 2010: Contract Extension with the Bulls

On October 4, 2010, Joakim Noah signed a five-year, $60 million contract extension with the Chicago Bulls.

2010: Founded Noah's Arc Foundation

In 2010, Joakim Noah, with his mother, founded the Noah's Arc Foundation to engage children with positive self-expression through arts and sports, focusing on at-risk youth in Chicago.

2011: Joined French Team at EuroBasket

In 2011, Joakim Noah joined the French team at EuroBasket.

February 22, 2012: First Career Triple-Double

On February 22, 2012, Joakim Noah recorded his first career triple-double with 13 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists in a game against the Milwaukee Bucks.

December 7, 2012: Career Highs in Points and Rebounds

On December 7, 2012, Joakim Noah recorded his career highs of 30 points and 23 rebounds in a win against the Detroit Pistons.

December 18, 2012: Second Triple-Double

On December 18, 2012, Joakim Noah recorded his second career triple-double, with 11 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists, in a victory over the Boston Celtics.

2012: Missed London Olympics due to injury

In 2012, Joakim Noah did not join the French Olympic team for the London Summer Olympics due to a serious ankle injury sustained during the 2012 NBA playoffs.

January 24, 2013: Named to NBA All-Star Game

On January 24, 2013, Joakim Noah was named as a reserve in the 2013 NBA All-Star Game, representing the Chicago Bulls, becoming the Bulls' first All-Star center since 1982.

February 28, 2013: Third Career Triple-Double

On February 28, 2013, Joakim Noah recorded his third career triple-double, with 23 points, 21 rebounds, and a career-high 11 blocks, in a victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.

December 28, 2013: 18-Game Streak of 10+ Rebounds Begins

On December 28, 2013, Joakim Noah began an 18-game streak of recording 10 or more rebounds per game.

January 30, 2014: Second NBA All-Star Selection

On January 30, 2014, Joakim Noah was named a reserve in the 2014 NBA All-Star Game for the second time in his career.

February 1, 2014: End of Rebound Streak Approaching

By February 1, 2014, Joakim Noah was nearing the end of his 18-game streak of 10 or more rebounds, averaging 13.9 rebounds during that period.

February 11, 2014: Fourth Career Triple-Double

On February 11, 2014, Joakim Noah recorded his fourth career triple-double in a win against the Atlanta Hawks, with 19 points, 16 rebounds, and 11 assists.

February 19, 2014: 13 Assists Against Toronto Raptors

On February 19, 2014, Joakim Noah had 13 assists in a road win against the Toronto Raptors, making him the first NBA center with multiple games of 10+ assists in a season since Brad Miller in 2005-06.

March 2, 2014: Fifth Career Triple-Double

On March 2, 2014, Joakim Noah recorded his fifth career triple-double with 13 points, 12 rebounds, and 14 assists in a win over the New York Knicks.

April 9, 2014: Fourth Triple-Double of the Season

On April 9, 2014, Joakim Noah recorded his fourth triple-double of the season with 15 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists in a road win against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

April 21, 2014: NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award

On April 21, 2014, Joakim Noah was awarded the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award for the first time in his career, becoming the second Chicago Bull to win the award.

June 4, 2014: All-NBA First Team Selection

On June 4, 2014, Joakim Noah was named to the 2014 All-NBA first team, recognizing his outstanding performance during the season.

2014: All-NBA First Team and Defensive Player of the Year

In 2014, Joakim Noah was named to the All-NBA First Team and was also named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year.

January 27, 2015: Season-Best Game

On January 27, 2015, Joakim Noah had a season-best game with 18 points and 15 rebounds in an overtime win over the Golden State Warriors.

2015: Foundation Granted Consultative Status to UN

In 2015, the Noah's Arc Foundation, as a registered United Nations non-governmental organization (NGO), was granted special consultative status to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

July 8, 2016: Signed with the New York Knicks

On July 8, 2016, Joakim Noah signed a four-year, $72 million contract with the New York Knicks. This contract was later considered a poor decision and labeled "disastrous".

November 27, 2017: Activated by the Knicks

On November 27, 2017, the Knicks activated Joakim Noah, marking his return to playing time since February. He played a three-minute stint against the Portland Trail Blazers, making his only shot and grabbing a rebound.

October 13, 2018: Released by the Knicks

On October 13, 2018, Joakim Noah was released by the Knicks via the stretch-provision waiver, allowing the Knicks to save cap space.

December 4, 2018: Signed with the Memphis Grizzlies

On December 4, 2018, Joakim Noah signed with the Memphis Grizzlies for the remainder of the season.

2019: Knicks Saved Cap Space

In 2019, the Knicks managed to save $12.6 million in cap space by releasing Joakim Noah via the stretch-provision waiver.

March 9, 2020: Signed 10-day contract with the Clippers

On March 9, 2020, Joakim Noah signed a 10-day contract with the Los Angeles Clippers.

March 1, 2021: Retired from Professional Basketball

On March 1, 2021, Joakim Noah announced his retirement from professional basketball.

June 2024: Philippines Visit

In June 2024, during his first Philippines visit, Joakim Noah served as a global liquor brand ambassador, conducted an NBA Jr. clinic, and played pickup basketball with young Filipino talents in Mandaluyong.