A two-time national champion, Joakim Noah is simply one of the most accomplished names in Florida Basketball history. While only in Gainesville for three seasons, it’s clear looking back now that Noah had a massive impact on the Gators success during that span.
Looking back at the Florida Basketball career of Joakim Noah
A former four-star forward and Top 100 player out of the Lawrenceville School, NJ in the Class of 2004, Noah would not see a significant number of minutes during his first season in Gainesville averaging only 9.4 per game, but would still make an impact when on the court. For a Florida team that reached the Round of 32, Noah would appear in 29 total games as a freshman averaging 3.5 PPG and 2.5 RPG.
Emerging as a full-time starter for the Gators as a sophomore, Noah would go-on to average 14.2 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 2.1 APG, and 2.4 BPG during the 2005-06 season, shooting a phenomenal 62.7% from the field (led SEC).
Arguably his best season in Gainesville looking back now, Noah would play a major role in the Gators winning the 2005-06 national championship earning numerous honors such as First Team All-SEC, NCAA All-Tournament, and NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player along the way. Starting in 38-of-39 games for Florida that season, Noah would also rank among the top of the SEC in a few other statistical categories such as win shares (first with 8.4) and blocks (second with 95).
With the Gators looking to repeat as national champions in 2006-07, Noah would go-on to start in all 40 of Florida’s games as a junior averaging 12 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 2.3 APG, and 1.8 BPG on 60.7% shooting. Leading Florida to their second-consecutive national championship, Noah was selected as both Second Team All-SEC, as well as a Second Team All-American, while leading the conference once again in win shares (7.7).
For his Florida Basketball career overall, the two-time national champion averaged a combined 10.5 PPG and 6.4 RPG on 61.6% shooting from the field. Noah also ranks 12th all-time in SEC history in win shares (17.7), 13th in two-point FG% (61.7%), and 16th in defensive win shares (9).
After winning his second national championship in as many years with the Gators, Noah would enter the 2007 NBA Draft where the 6-foot-11 center was selected with the No. 9 overall pick by the Chicago Bulls.
Recently announcing his retirement last year, Noah would play 13 seasons in the NBA from 2007-20 with the Bulls, New York Knicks, Memphis Grizzlies, and Los Angeles Clippers. Averaging a career 8.8 PPG, 9 RPG, and 2 APG on 49.1% shooting from the field, Noah would receive multiple career accolades in the NBA that included the 2013-14 Defensive Player of the Year, three-time All-Defense, two-time All-Star, and one-time All-NBA.