Joakim Noah honored as a Chicago Bulls ambassador: 'I'm now a Bull for life' / News - Basketnews.com

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The Chicago Bulls have named their former player, Joakim Noah, as a team ambassador. Noah will "build relationships with people throughout Chicago and across Bulls Nation".

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In exchange, the Bulls will make an annual donation to Noah's charity, the Noah's Arc Foundation.

Noah was honored during Chicago's home game against the New York Knicks on Friday. The French big man spent nine seasons in Chicago, playing his best basketball as a member of the Bulls.

"I'm truly humbled to be honored by both the team and city that I have always loved and respected," Noah said.

"Even more so to be able to celebrate tonight with family, friends, former players, and coaches, and most of all – the Bulls fans who helped drive my energy throughout my years in a Bulls uniform at the United Center. It means so much to me that I'm now a Bull for life."

Noah became a two-time All-Star and a three-time member of the All-Defensive team. He was selected as the 2014 Defensive Player of the Year.

"When Joakim played for the Bulls, you could see how much he cared about the kids and everything that's going on in the city," Bulls president Michael Reinsdorf said.

"He still comes into town, and he still cares so much. People in Chicago realize that he was more than just a basketball player, he was someone who cared about the community, someone who was going to do his best to make a difference in this world and he has.

"Joakim embodies every quality you'd want in a team ambassador. This is a natural next step for a former player with such strong history of giving back to Chicago."

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