Joakim Noah spent his prime in the NBA as a member of the Chicago Bulls and will return to the organization after retirement.
On Thursday, the Bulls organization announced that Noah had joined the franchise as a team ambassador and will be honored at the team’s Thursday night game against the New York Knicks.
“I’m really honored to be honored by both the team and the city that I’ve always loved and respected,” Noah said in the Bulls’ statement. “All the more so to be able to celebrate this evening with family, friends, former players and coaches and above all the Bulls fans who helped me to increase my energy during my years in a Bulls jersey at the United Center. It means so much to me that I’m a cop for life now. I love you all and look forward to cementing my enduring connection with the Bulls and the city of Chicago tonight in this new chapter of my life. “
As a team ambassador, Noah’s job will be to build relationships with the people of Chicago and the Bulls franchise. According to the Bulls, the team will also donate annually to Noah’s charity, the Noah’s Arc Foundation.
The team honored him on Thursday evening at the United Center in Chicago for “Noah Night” before the game against the Knicks.
For 13 seasons in the NBA, Noah held a career average 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 Defensive Player of the Year 2013-14.
Noah played nine of his 13 seasons in Chicago and helped the Bulls reach the playoffs seven times.
