Coaches Love Joakim Noah

During the course of any camp week, there are a few players that elevate or rise above the others to boost their stock. At this week's ABCD camp in Teaneck, New Jersey, Joakim Noah of Poly Prep in Brooklyn, New York, is one such player. Noah has been simply outstanding.

One of the big name battles was last's night's evening session game between a team that featured West Coast big man Robert Swift and perhaps the best player in the country in Dwight Howard. Both Howard and Swift were great. But Noah was even better. He moved swiftly up and down the court. He gets to loose balls with his quickness and he is much tougher than his appearance would indicate.

Despite his frail frame, Noah can pound inside and grab rebounds in congestion. He runs hard, plays hard, and plays with his heart too. And there were many high division one coaches anxious to get involved with Noah, who plays during the summer for Gary Charles' Long Island Panthers program. Sources told us that Virginia and Indiana were among the programs that are now seriously trying to get involved with Noah.

"I am having a lot fun," Noah said. "It's great to play against the best players in the country. It's a great camp."

Noah added: "I was a ballboy five years ago here at this camp. It was a dream of mine to play at this camp."

Now his dream has come true. And now many high division one coaches are dreaming of landing a commitment from Noah, who will now be followed around by those who can offer a scholarship.