Throughout his NBA career, Joakim Noah distinguished himself as a guy who played with unbridled passion and heart. He continues to display those qualities for the city where he spent most of his NBA career, particularly in violence prevention.
On Monday, the former Bulls player announced that he is launching the “One City Basketball League” in Chicago this month with 28 violence prevention groups.
“The city is divided in a lot of ways,” said Noah in an interview with NBA writer Shams Charania, “One of the ways to unify this city is through hoop.”
Awesome: Former Bulls star Joakim Noah is launching “One City Basketball League” in Chicago this month in collaboration with 28 violence prevention groups. It will provide financial incentives for players, off-court programs and job opportunities. pic.twitter.com/w3XXB0zUpj
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 1, 2023
But this new league will be more than just basketball.
It will be an incentivized program for young men ages 16-25 who live on Chicago’s South and West sides. The league will also provide financial incentives for players, off-the-court programs, family services and job opportunities.
“It’s really special just to be able to come back to the city and do something positive,” he said.