Veteran Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah is expected to be formally announced as the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year at a 4:00 p.m. news conference the team has called for Monday afternoon.
Now in his seventh season after winning back-to-back NCAA titles at Florida under Billy Donovan starting in 2006, the 6-11, 232 pound Noah averaged 12.6 points, 11.3 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 1.5 blocks this season.
Joakim Noah recruiting Melo to Chicago?
The 29-year-old center emerged as the Bulls' unquestioned leader this season after All-Star guard Derrick Rose went down with his second straight season-ending knee injury just 10 games into the year. With the team also missing veteran forward Luol Deng, who was shipped to Cleveland at the trade deadline, Noah led the Bulls to a 48-34 season and the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference.
Over his career, Noah is averaging a near double-double at 9.9 points and 9.4 rebounds. The two-time All-Star becomes the first Bulls player since Michael Jordan in 1987-88 to be named Defensive Player of the Year.
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