USA - Noah signs with Bulls

CHICAGO (NBA) - Budding French star Joakim Noah has signed his rookie contract with the Chicago Bulls. Noah, the ninth overall pick in the June 28 draft, signed a two-year, $3.69 million contract. All rookie contracts included a team option for a third and fourth year under the NBA rookie salary scale.

The son of former French Open tennis champion Yannick Noah, the power forward played a major role in the Gators becoming the first team to repeat as national champions since Duke in 1992.

The 6-11, 232-pounder averaged 10.6 points and 6.3 rebounds for the Gators.

Noah was one of three members of Florida's title team to be taken in the first round of the June 28 drafr.

Al Horford went third to the Atlanta Hawks, and Corey Brewer was selected seventh to the Minnesota Timberwolves. It was the earliest three players from the same school have been selected in the draft.

The Bulls received the pick from the New York Knicks two years ago in a trade that sent center Eddy Curry to the Knicks.

Noah is an exceptional athlete who happens to be nearly seven-feet tall. He can run the court like a small forward and can impact games on both ends of the court as an offensive rebounder and a shot-blocker.

He is a smart player who will figure out what his team needs him to do and then go out and do it. He cannot be measured by statistics, but in a few years he will be known as a "stat sheet stuffer," someone who contributes a few points, a few rebounds, a few blocks and a few steals.

But, ironically, experts warn that is the problem with Noah, who may not possess an above-average skill on either end of the floor.

In addition, the Bulls signed Pittsburgh's Aaron Gray, their second-round selection.

Terms of that deal were not disclosed.

FIBA