Ex-NBA star Joakim Noah 'humbled' to know he's still in the consciousness of Filipino fans

MANILA, Philippines — It has been almost a decade since retired NBA star Joakim Noah laced up his shoes and played for the Chicago Bulls.

Drafted by the Bulls in 2007, the hardworking big man played for the iconic franchise until 2016, before he played for the New York Knicks, the Memphis Grizzlies and the LA Clippers, which waived him in 2020.

Having been retired since March 2021, Noah, who graced the “In the Paint” event of cognac brand Hennessy in Manila on Friday, said that it was “humbling” for Filipino fans to still remember him from his Bulls days,when he played with the youngest NBA most valuable player Derrick Rosefor a number of years. 

“It’s definitely humbling. When I was going through the airport, people knew about the Chicago Bulls. I haven’t worn a Chicago Bulls jersey in 10 years. I’m almost a 40 years old, retired player,” he told Philstar.com in an interview.

“To see people know that I played meaningful games for the Chicago Bulls 10 years ago and people still knew, to me, it’s more than just knowing basketball. It’s pretty impressive to me,” he added.

This was the first time Noah visited the Philippines, and he bared that he did not know just how basketball-crazy the nation is.

“To be able to be in the community on my first day in Manila, to unveil a court, to me it’s a real blessing just being able to talk to people from the area and from Manila.”

Noah and Hennessy unveiled the newly painted CCP Bukaneg Court in Pasay on Friday.

The basketball court featured the art of local artist Kiefer Indiongco, or “Kiefsix.”

Hennessy said this is the 22nd In the Paint court in the world and the third in Asia.

Noah has been in nine of the launchings across the world, and the 39-year-old stressed that while there were a lot of differences across the countries, “what’s more interesting is what’s similar.”

“We’re here with Hennessy for this beautiful initiative, in the paint. This is about bringing people together through art and basketball. To be able to be here and unveil a court right here at the cultural center is really special,” he said.

“You’re able to go around the world, everybody’s different wherever you go in terms of people but the joy that these courts bring to people,” he added.

“I think that’s the similarity and I think that’s what’s so beautiful. When you bring heart, sports, it brings unity, and when you bring unity, you bring joy to people.”

And part of bringing joy is Noah giving back to the younger generation across communities.

“I think that for me, my plans are always about trying to impact the next generation. I’m done playing basketball. This is a young man’s, or young woman’s sport. So, when I talk to young people, I always tell them to follow your dreams, but this is a team sport and you have a role to play and I think that all these values of the game, whatever you become in life, they will help you,” he said.

“Giving back brings me joy as well. I get to travel with one of the biggest brands in the world and do something that’s much bigger than just myself, much bigger than winning or losing, empowering the next generation.”