Skip to main content
Come Fan with UsSunday, July 12, 2026

Joakim Noah Will Miss Olympics For France With Ankle Injury

Joakim Noah will not play for France at the 2012 London Olympics due to the ankle injury he suffered during the NBA Playoffs with the Chicago Bulls.

Bongarts/Getty Images

Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah will not join France's national men's basketball team at the 2012 London Olympics due to a left ankle injury suffered during the NBA Playoffs. Noah told the French publication L'Equipe that he was "absolutely not ready. Not ready to run, not ready to jump."

Noah injured his ankle in Game 3 of the 2012 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the Philadelphia 76ers in May. He has since spent his time rehabbing with trainers outside of Los Angeles. Bulls teammate Derrick Rose will miss the Olympics for the United States after tearing his ACL in the Bulls' first series of the playoffs.

France's squad could be severely shorthanded for the Olympics, especially if Tony Parker is forced to sit after scratching his cornea as collateral damage in the brawl between Drake and Chris Brown at a New York City night club. The 12 members of the French national team will be announced Thursday.

For more on Noah and the Bulls, head over to the SB Nation blog Blog a Bull.

Check out the SB Nation Channel on YouTube

See More:

More in NBA

NBA
NBA Power Rankings for all 30 teams after a wild start to 2026 offseasonNBA Power Rankings for all 30 teams after a wild start to 2026 offseason
NBA

Let’s rank every team in the NBA right now.

By Ricky O'Donnell
NBA
Kawhi Leonard to Raptors trade on hold until NBA finishes cap circumvention investigationKawhi Leonard to Raptors trade on hold until NBA finishes cap circumvention investigation
NBA

The trade isn’t off, it’s a “not right now.”

By James Dator
Men's College Basketball
UCLA lands Nikola Kusturica, its best recruit since Lonzo Ball and a top 2028 NBA Draft pickUCLA lands Nikola Kusturica, its best recruit since Lonzo Ball and a top 2028 NBA Draft pick
Men's College Basketball

Kusturica will be a 17-year-old freshman phenom at UCLA before entering the NBA Draft in 2028.

By Ricky O'Donnell
NBA
Warriors out of LeBron James sweepstakes after bailing on Anthony Davis trade, per reportWarriors out of LeBron James sweepstakes after bailing on Anthony Davis trade, per report
NBA

The Warriors’ LeBron James dreams are falling apart over the Wizards’ Anthony Davis asking price.

By Ricky O'Donnell
NBA
LeBron James’ new free agency pursuit is the saddest dating showLeBron James’ new free agency pursuit is the saddest dating show
NBA
NBA Rookie of the Year odds favor Cameron Boozer over Darryn PetersonNBA Rookie of the Year odds favor Cameron Boozer over Darryn Peterson
NBA

Who do you think is going to win NBA Rookie of the Year?

By Kyle Sparks