a écrit le 3 avril 2006 à 13h24 Noah is reminiscent in athleticism and emotion to ex-Gonzaga big man Ronny Turiaf.
Late tennis great Arthur Ashe discovered Yannick Noah during an African tour in 1971 and Noah left his family at age 12 to attend school in France.
"They played doubles together at Wimbledon when my father was only 17," said Noah. "If it wasn't for Arthur, my father wouldn't be the tennis player he was."
The younger Noah shunned tennis himself because of his father's huge shadow and embraced basketball, especially after his mother moved the children from Paris to New York in 1998.
His father counsels him long-distance on how to stay relaxed, which the son takes with a grain of salt.
"For the first time in his life, he can't control what goes on on the court," Noah said with a smile. "He always tells me, 'Take a deep breath.' I say, 'Dude, chill out. Drink a couple of beers.' "
Father and grandfather slipped into the stands at Florida late on March 2 to see how far Joakim had progressed. As a freshman he played about nine minutes a game and averaged 3.5 points. But that night, he went for 37 points and 11 rebounds against Georgia.
Noah on his grandfather: "I love him to death. He's the man over there. His girlfriend is like, 30 years old. He goes to the clubs. He shines on the dance floor. He's crazy."
Noah and Mbah a Moute agree on Cameroon's culture.
"There's a lot of poverty over there," Noah said. "But it doesn't affect the people. I love going back over there. It's a happy people."
Proud, too, if Cameroon is watching tonight.
Copyright © 2006 The Seattle Times Company
Late tennis great Arthur Ashe discovered Yannick Noah during an African tour in 1971 and Noah left his family at age 12 to attend school in France.
"They played doubles together at Wimbledon when my father was only 17," said Noah. "If it wasn't for Arthur, my father wouldn't be the tennis player he was."
The younger Noah shunned tennis himself because of his father's huge shadow and embraced basketball, especially after his mother moved the children from Paris to New York in 1998.
His father counsels him long-distance on how to stay relaxed, which the son takes with a grain of salt.
"For the first time in his life, he can't control what goes on on the court," Noah said with a smile. "He always tells me, 'Take a deep breath.' I say, 'Dude, chill out. Drink a couple of beers.' "
Father and grandfather slipped into the stands at Florida late on March 2 to see how far Joakim had progressed. As a freshman he played about nine minutes a game and averaged 3.5 points. But that night, he went for 37 points and 11 rebounds against Georgia.
Noah on his grandfather: "I love him to death. He's the man over there. His girlfriend is like, 30 years old. He goes to the clubs. He shines on the dance floor. He's crazy."
Noah and Mbah a Moute agree on Cameroon's culture.
"There's a lot of poverty over there," Noah said. "But it doesn't affect the people. I love going back over there. It's a happy people."
Proud, too, if Cameroon is watching tonight.
Copyright © 2006 The Seattle Times Company
