Nerlens Noel facts for kids
![]() Noel in 2018
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Free agent | |
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Center / power forward | |
Personal information | |
Born | Malden, Massachusetts, U.S. |
April 10, 1994
High school |
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Listed height | 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) |
Listed weight | 220 lb (100 kg) |
Career information | |
College | Kentucky (2012–2013) |
NBA Draft | 2013 / Round: 1 / Pick: 6th overall |
Selected by the New Orleans Pelicans | |
Pro career | 2013–present |
Career history | |
2013–2017 | Philadelphia 76ers |
2017–2018 | Dallas Mavericks |
2018–2020 | Oklahoma City Thunder |
2020–2022 | New York Knicks |
2022–2023 | Detroit Pistons |
2023 | Brooklyn Nets |
Career highlights and awards | |
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Nerlens Noel (born April 10, 1994) is an American professional basketball player. He last played for the Brooklyn Nets in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Nerlens plays as a center or power forward. He was one of the best high school basketball players in 2012.
Contents
Nerlens Noel's Early Life and High School Basketball
Nerlens Noel was born in Malden, Massachusetts, near Boston. His parents moved there from Haiti. He spent his first two years of high school at Everett High School.
After his second year, he moved to Tilton School in Tilton, New Hampshire. He repeated his second year at Tilton. He later changed his graduation year back to 2012. In his final year, he averaged 12.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.9 blocks per game.
How Nerlens Became a Top High School Player
Experts like ESPN and Scout.com rated Noel as the number one player in his class. SLAM magazine ranked him number two. He was chosen to play in important games like the 2012 Nike Hoop Summit and the 2012 Jordan Brand Classic.
Noel also played AAU basketball with Michael Carter-Williams, who later became his teammate. Before he graduated, The New York Times wrote about him. They said he was one of the best shot blockers of his time. However, his offensive skills needed more work.
Name | Hometown | High school / college | Height | Weight | Commit date | |
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Nerlens Noel C |
Everett, Massachusetts | The Tilton School | 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) | 215 lb (98 kg) | Apr 11, 2012 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:![]() ![]() ![]() |
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Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 1 Rivals: 2, 1 (C) ESPN: 1 | ||||||
Sources: |
College Basketball Career at Kentucky
In April 2012, Noel decided to play NCAA Division I basketball at the University of Kentucky. He announced his decision on TV by showing the UK logo shaved into his hair. Fans and media had high hopes for him. They wanted him to be as good as Anthony Davis. Davis had just led the Kentucky Wildcats to a national championship.
Key Games and Records at Kentucky
In his third game on November 16, 2012, Noel scored 15 points. He also had 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 block, and 4 steals. On January 12, 2013, he had 15 points, 11 rebounds, 7 blocks, 6 assists, and 4 steals.
On January 29, 2013, Noel set a new school record for Kentucky. He made 12 blocks in a game against Ole Miss. The previous record was 9 blocks. Even though he only scored two points, the opposing coach said Noel "was the difference in the game."
Injury and Awards
On February 12, 2013, Noel suffered a serious injury. He tore a ligament in his left knee while blocking a shot. This injury ended his season. Before the injury, many thought he would be the first player picked in the 2013 NBA draft. Despite his injury, Noel decided to enter the draft on April 15, 2013.
Noel received many awards for his college performance. These included SEC Freshman of the Year and SEC Defensive Player of the Year. He was also named to the SEC First Team and SEC All-Freshman Team. He was recognized for his community service too.
Nerlens Noel's Professional NBA Journey
Starting with the Philadelphia 76ers (2013–2017)
Noel was expected to be a top pick in the 2013 NBA draft. He was chosen sixth overall by the New Orleans Pelicans. However, his draft rights were soon traded to the Philadelphia 76ers. This trade happened because teams were worried about his knee injury.
Noel officially joined the 76ers on July 12, 2013. He signed his contract on September 24, 2013. He missed his entire first season to recover from his knee surgery.
Noel played for the 76ers in the 2014 NBA Summer League. He made his NBA debut on October 29, 2014. In that game, he scored 6 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and made 3 blocks. On January 30, he had 14 points, 6 rebounds, 4 steals, and 6 blocks in a win.
Noel played in the 2015 Rising Stars Challenge. On February 20, he had 12 points, 9 rebounds, 4 steals, and a career-high 9 blocks. A week later, he became only the third 76ers rookie to get 100 blocks in a season.
In October 2016, Noel needed knee surgery and missed many games. He returned to play on December 11. On January 24, 2017, he scored a season-high 19 points.
Playing for the Dallas Mavericks (2017–2018)
On February 23, 2017, Noel was traded to the Dallas Mavericks. He played his first game for the Mavericks two days later. He scored 9 points and had 10 rebounds. On March 3, 2017, he had 15 points and tied his career high with 17 rebounds.
In October 2017, Noel scored 16 points and had 11 rebounds in a game. In December 2017, he had surgery for a thumb injury. He missed 42 games but returned in February 2018.
Time with the Oklahoma City Thunder (2018–2020)
Noel signed a two-year contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder on July 6, 2018. On October 28, 2018, he had 20 points and 15 rebounds in a win. On December 31, he scored 15 points in just 15 minutes. In January 2019, he left a game after a hard fall and missed three games due to a concussion.
Joining the New York Knicks (2020–2022)
On November 25, 2020, Noel signed a one-year contract with the New York Knicks. He played his first game for the Knicks on December 23. On January 15, 2021, he recorded a season-high 6 blocks. On March 21, he scored a season-high 13 points and had 10 rebounds.
The Knicks made the playoffs in 2021 for the first time since 2013. Noel had 12 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 steals in a playoff game. The Knicks lost their series in five games.
On August 11, 2021, the Knicks re-signed Noel for three years. On November 5, he grabbed a season-high 13 rebounds. He played his last game of the 2021–22 season on February 7. He did not play again that season due to a foot injury.
Detroit Pistons (2022–2023) and Brooklyn Nets (2023)
On July 11, 2022, Noel was traded to the Detroit Pistons. He played his first game for the Pistons on October 31. On February 28, 2023, he left the Pistons.
On March 6, 2023, Noel signed a short-term contract with the Brooklyn Nets. He later signed with the Sacramento Kings on July 21, 2023, but was released on September 12, 2023.
College Statistics
Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
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2012–13 | Kentucky | 24 | 24 | 31.9 | .590 | — | .529 | 9.5 | 1.6 | 2.1 | 4.4 | 10.5 |
Nerlens Noel's Family Life
Noel's parents moved from Haiti in 1990. He has two older brothers and one younger sister. Both of his older brothers played college football. His oldest brother, Jim, played for Boston College. His other brother, Rodman, played for North Carolina State.
See also
In Spanish: Nerlens Noel para niños