Today's Edition
KUUMAR SHYAM (ABU DHABI)
Former NBA star Joakim Noah is in Abu Dhabi this week as part of the NBA Abu Dhabi 3x3 basketball tournament during the BRED Festival, bringing his passion for the game – and life lessons earned through years of elite competition – to a new generation of aspiring athletes.
On his first visit to the UAE capital, Noah has been immersing himself in the local culture, from visiting the Louvre Abu Dhabi to engaging directly with youth at Repton School. "We spoke to almost 200 kids in two gyms," Noah recounted in an interview. "It was beautiful to see how excited they were. They don't even remember me playing, but the spark in their eyes – that's the same everywhere in the world. That's the power of basketball."
Noah, who played 13 seasons in the NBA and was known for his intensity and leadership, emphasised the broader value of sports. "We live in a complicated world. Sports brings people together across cultural differences. That's what I love to see," says Noah, speaking exclusively to Aletihad, having finished his career with more than half his time at Chicago Bulls.
During his school visit, Noah shared personal anecdotes of his relentless work ethic – pushing limits in training even after reaching exhaustion levels and punishing college workouts. "I used to run before school, do push-ups before bed. Every day, I asked myself, 'Did I get better today?' Those are the values I try to pass on," he said.
He didn't shy away from discussing past mistakes, including an incident during his freshman year when he arrived late to practice. "I got punished hard," he admitted. "But I made a decision – I would never let them see me weak." Noah said growing up in a privileged background (his father was a tennis player) made him feel he had more to prove. "Nothing in life is given," he told the students. "You have to show your value and work ethic."
Now in a mentorship role, Noah agrees modern training can be done in a smarter way, not just harder like he did. "It's not just about exhaustion anymore – it's about recovery, nutrition, stretching, and mental discipline," he explained.
"Kids today also have access to technology we didn't have. They can watch how their favourite players train. There is so much information on how to eat, what to eat, how to even train and then utilise coaching inputs to make themselves better."
Yet, importantly, the modernity of the era can be a double-edge sword, he warns. "But that comes with distraction. Phones can be so addictive. The kids are always on the phones. The first thing I tell them – get off the phones, not in training and during games. Locker rooms should be sacred. There shouldn't be any phones in there."
Back in his NBA world, the major talk is about the new era star Luka Doncic leaving Dallas Mavericks to link up with the veteran LeBron James, 40, at Los Angeles Lakers. Noah and his Bulls went 0-4 against James-led teams in playoff series, as James' Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Bulls in 2010 and 2015, and his Miami Heat took down Chicago in 2011 and 2013.
"That's must-watch basketball," he said. "Luka is a top-three player in the world and still can't believe he is no longer going to play for Dallas. For LeBron to team up with him – that's something special."
Meanwhile, as Abu Dhabi continues to grow as a hub for global sports, the presence of players like Noah underscores the value of these events not just for competition, but for community and inspiration. "Wherever I go," Noah said, "the message is the same – sports can teach you who you are. It's about more than winning. It's about growing."
