Exclusive: Joakim Noah discusses France's chances of success ahead of the FIBA 2023 World Cup and Paris 2024

For fans of basketball in the early 2000s to the late 2010s, Joakim Noah was an unmistakable presence on the court. The 2.11m (6' 11") big man was renowned for his incredible hustle and defensive tenacity on the hardwood, as evidenced by his many awards and accolades over the course of a 13-year career in the NBA.

In fact, it's a testament to Noah's impact on basketball - not to mention his iconic locks and beard - that he will always be recognised by fans of the game wherever he goes. Though he may have retired from playing professional basketball in 2020, Noah is still providing an impact on the sport and giving back to communities through his One City Basketball League (OCBL).

Olympics.com sat down with the two-time NCAA champion and EuroBasket silver medallist to discuss the transition from playing pro basketball to launching OCBL in Chicago, the influence of his family on his career and philanthropic work, looking ahead to the basketball tournament at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, and more.

Noah's path from New York to the NBA

Joakim Noah comes from a sporting background: his father Yannick Noah won the French Open tennis title in 1983 and was once ranked third in the men's world tennis rankings, while his grandfather Zacharie Noah was a Cameroonian professional football player who won the Coupe de France in 1961 with UA Sedan-Torcy. Adding to his diverse international heritage, Noah's mother Cécilia Rodhe won the 1978 Miss Sweden beauty pagent and competed in the Miss Universe pageant in the same year.

But for Noah, who holds American, French, and Swedish citizenship, there was only going to be one sport for him.

"I grew up in New York City, and basketball is a big part of the culture there. I woould even say it's like a religion over there," Noah told us.

"I was drawn to the sport right away. My father was a tennis player and my grandfather was a soccer player, so I understood what it took to be a professional athlete. That's the way I was raised.

"But I chose a different route: I chose basketball. So it's been a big part of my life since I was a little boy."

Noah moved to Paris in 1988 when he was three years old, returning to the Big Apple when he was 13. During his time in France and New York City, Noah played for the youth team of French club Levallois Sporting Club and the United Nations International School, Poly Prep Country Day School, and The Lawrenceville School in the United States.

Noah earned an athletic scholarship to the University of Florida in 2004, where he spent four years, winning two North American collegiate championships with the Gators.

Following on from his college success, Noah was considered to be a lottery pick for the 2007 NBA Draft, where he was selected with the ninth pick by the Chicago Bulls. He would go on to have a successful 13-year career in the North American league, earning multiple accolades including two All-Star selections, one All-NBA First Team nomination, two NBA All-Defensive First Team selections, and the winner of the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award (2014).

But what does Noah think his biggest achievement was during his time in the NBA?

"It's hard to say what your biggest achievements are when you're playing because you're always striving for more. But I'm retired now, and I can look back and say that my biggest achievement is the relationships that I made with my team-mates along the journey.

"A lot of those guys are still my friends today, and I think that that's my biggest achievement: keeping those relationships and being able to talk about the good times we had playing and what we want to do now."

Finding his purpose after playing: One City Basketball League and the BAL

Noah often discusses how legends including Muhammad Ali, Dikemebe Mutombo, and Manute Bol have inspired him to use his platform as an athlete to do more. But he also credits his father for being one of the biggest influences in his life.

"I grew up seeing my father getting a lot of attention because he's a champion and he does a lot of social work as well.

"I've always been blessed to have that mentorship from him, and I'm very proud of what my father represents. He's the last Frenchman to have won the French Open, 40 years ago, but he left home when he was 11 years old to pursue his dream - to go to France. He left Africa and his parents at a very young age. Those are huge sacrifices for a dream, so I always keep that in perspective."

Noah also tells us that his father Yannick - who was discovered playing tennis in Cameroon when he was 11 by none other than tennis legends Arthur Ashe and Charlie Pasarell - now helps his grandmother at a preschool in Cameroon.

"My grandmother built a school in Cameroon, and my father is there every day to help. But he is also involved with Enfants de la Terre [a charity created and run by his mother in 1988] and founded Fête le Mur [a tennis charity and adaptation for underprivileged children] where he's building tennis courts and working with kids in the inner city. So I'm very proud of the work that he's doing, and I'm trying to use my platform to do [the same] in America and Africa."

In May 2023, Joakim Noah, through a collaboration between the Noah's Arc Foundation, Transform Justice, and 28 violence reduction groups, launched the One City Basketball League in Chicago.

It involves 280 players from all over the city, with ages ranging from 16 to 25. The competition provides financial incentives for players, off-court programs and job opportunities.

Noah says he is also working with the NBA and Basketball Africa League (BAL) in growing the sport in Africa.

"Africa has always had a very special place in my heart, and being able to closely work with the NBA in building this league [the BAL] is amazing. I think we're in the early stages right now, and we just have to keep growing and understanding that doing social work and building bridges is probably the most important thing we can do right now. Being able to bring top coaches from Europe and America and to bring them to Africa where the sky's the limit."

2023 FIBA World Cup and Paris 2024: "I think France really believe that they can win."

Noah is naturally proud of his diverse heritage, and represented France on the international stage. He was a part of the French team that won silver at EuroBasket 2011, but missed the London 2012 Olympic Games due to an ankle injury. Looking ahead to the 2023 FIBA World Cup and Paris 2024, Noah has high hopes for Les Bleus.

• FIBA World Cup 2023: Full schedule and how to watch live

"I think the French team right now is very strong. They have the top prospect in Victor Wembanyama, a great player in Rudy Gobert, they have great coaching, and a lot of young players coming in to the squad.

"I think the gap in basketball is closing. The Dream Team of '92 inspired kids all around the world to dream, and I think that right now, France really believe that they can win, and that hasn't always been the case. It's always interesting to see countries grow and get better over time, and I think France really has a chance."

One of those young players who will not be a part of France's World Cup campaign - which is live on Olympic Channel via Olympics.com is Victor Wembanyama - one of the most highly touted players in decades who was recently selected with the No.1 pick at the 2023 NBA Draft.

"Victor is a phenomenon," Noah says. "Seven foot four with that kind of wingspan, with that kind of athletic ability and skill set - that's never been seen before. You can tell that a player like Victor was definitely influenced by a guy like Tony Parker - and now he's going to play with the San Antonio Spurs. It's just beautiful to see the graduation and the inspiration from generation to generation.

**"**Victor will have his journey and he'll inspire a whole new set of French players. So the future is bright for French basketball."

• Victor Wembanyama on Paris 2024: "It's not an option. I'll be at the Olympics."

Despite not being able to compete at an Olympics himself, Noah says he is looking forward to the Games next year and hopes to be a part of Paris 2024 in some capacity.

"France is a very proud country, and a country that's very proud of their sporting heritage and what it represents. So to be able to bring the Olympic Games to France, and have that melting pot of cultures in one city, in one country, it's a beautiful thing.

"People love sports, but the cultural exchange is probably the most special thing about this event. And hopefully I can be a part of it in any way possible."

• Find out more about the Paris 2024 Olympic Games here