Noah Proud of Gators’ Choice to Stay Together

Joakim Noah, a two-time national champion and former Most Outstanding Player at Florida, recently reflected on his college basketball journey. Looking back at highlights from the Gators’ first championship win, Noah shared that the decision to return for another season with his teammates in 2007 remains his ‘proudest moment.’ He emphasized the deep bond and love for playing together that motivated the group. This decision came despite all three, Noah, Al Horford, and Corey Brewer, being projected as lottery picks in the NBA draft.

Noah explained the process of deciding to stay, highlighting a conversation with Brewer. “When I saw where Corey was from and for him to say no to the money, it said everything,” Noah recalled. He mentioned that even declaring for the draft felt like a sad day because of how much they enjoyed playing together. Noah stressed that chemistry and a genuine love for the game are rare and valuable.

“We decided to come back because we love playing with each other and our group was so tight. That was a group decision.”

He acknowledged the current landscape of college basketball, where players often transfer frequently and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals are prevalent. Noah expressed happiness for today’s players getting paid, calling it fair given the billions of dollars generated by college basketball, especially during March Madness. However, he contrasted this with his own experience, where he and his teammates turned down guaranteed NBA money and even had to pay for insurance to return for another season.

Noah, now 40, was asked what advice he’d give his 17-year-old self about navigating these financial decisions. He stated he wouldn’t make that decision for anyone, emphasizing that it’s a personal choice. Noah recognized that each player’s situation and background are different, and there’s no single right answer. He’s happy with his personal choice to go back to school, which allowed them to win back-to-back championships.

NBA Draft Prospects and Player Development

The discussion then shifted to the upcoming NBA draft and current college basketball stars. Noah gave a shout-out to the Boozer family, acknowledging the tough loss experienced by Cameron Boozer’s team in the Final Four. He compared the feeling to mourning, noting how painful it is to lose a game you expect to win.

Noah shared his thoughts on potential impact players in the draft. He sees similarities between some young players and NBA veterans like Shaquille O’Neal and Jamal Crawford. He specifically mentioned Keon Waggler, praising his size, shooting, and dribbling skills, comparing him to Crawford. Noah also highlighted AJ Denson, Darren Peterson, and Cameron Boozer as top prospects. He believes Darius Acuff Jr. from Arkansas has star potential, noting his scoring and assist achievements in the SEC, a feat not seen since Pete Maravich.

Another player mentioned is Caleb Wilson Jr. from North Carolina, whose explosiveness is just starting to show. Noah described this freshman class as one of the deepest in years, with potentially 20 players getting drafted in the first round. He also drew parallels between Acuff Jr. and Damian Lillard due to his physical build and step-back jumper.

Darren Peterson was identified as a potential steal of the draft. Noah noted Peterson’s ability to create space, finish with either hand, and his passing vision, along with potential as a defender. However, he pointed out that Peterson’s performance late in the season and his quiet personality might be question marks for NBA decision-makers. Noah believes Peterson’s quiet nature led to unfair speculation, and that his medicals and individual workouts will be crucial in determining his draft stock.

When asked who he would pick first overall if he were an NBA General Manager, Noah leaned towards Denson because of his size, length, and shooting ability. He acknowledged that Peterson could still go number one, especially after strong high school performances and potential workouts. Noah also mentioned that Caleb Wilson could surprisingly go as high as number two.

Noah discussed how NBA teams perceive quiet players like Peterson. He suggested that during medicals and team interviews, teams get a better understanding of a player’s personality. He also defended players who might play through illness, referencing Michael Jordan’s famous ‘flu game’ but cautioning against the idea that everyone must do the same.

The segment concluded with a mention of the Wooden Award finalists, including players like Yago Mateus dos Santos and Braden Smith, and the upcoming award ceremony.

Source: Joakim Noah calls his 2007 Florida Gators return his 'proudest moment' | College GameDay (YouTube)