Nerlens Noel, born on April 10, 1994) is an American professional basketball player who serves as a center in his hometown of Malden, Massachusetts.
Location: C-F (No. 9)
Height: 2.08 meters / 6 feet 10
Weight: 100kg/220lbs
Birthday: 1994-04-10
Team: Detroit Pistons
School: University of Kentucky
Draft: No. 6 in the first round of 2013
Nationality: American
Salary this season: $8.8 million
In high school, Nerlens Noel was named the No. 1 Player of the Year by ESPN and Scout.com and the No. 2 Player by SLAM in 2012. Shortly before he graduated from high school, a New York Times article described Noel as being hailed as one of the best shot blockers around, even though he was also described as having an unrefined offensive game. Noel decided in April 2012 that he would play NCAA Division I basketball at the University of Kentucky. On February 12, 2013, in a game against the Florida Gators, Noel tore the ACL in his left knee, forcing him to miss the remainder of the season. Before his injury, he was projected to be the No. 1 pick in the 2013 NBA Draft. Despite the injury, Noel decided to declare for the 2013 draft on April 15, 2013. Nerlens Noel entered the NBA through the draft in 2013 and played for the 76ers, the Mavericks (Mavericks) and the Thunder; he missed all games in the 2013-14 season due to injury, and was selected as the best rookie team in the 2014-15 season first team. On November 25, 2020, Noel signed a one-year contract with the New York Knicks. On August 11, 2021, the Knicks renewed Noel’s contract with $32 million for three years.
Nerlens Noel is a defensive center with excellent mobility. He is not suitable for playing as a power forward and his shooting is poor. Fortunately, he has a strong ability to finish at the basket. On the defensive end, his ability to block shots is excellent, and his steal rate is at the top level in the paint.