How a single knee injury altered the trajectory of a top NBA prospect
In short: In 2013, Nerlens Noel was projected to be the first overall pick in the NBA draft. But a torn ACL during his freshman season at the University of Kentucky changed everything, turning a certain superstar into a journeyman professional navigating a career of injuries and trades.
Nerlens Noel entered the collegiate spotlight as one of the most decorated high school players in the class of 2012. Ranked as the number one prospect by both ESPN and Scout.com, the 6 ft 11 in center was widely expected to be the next great defensive force in the NBA. His defensive ceiling was so high that many analysts compared his shot-blocking potential to that of Anthony Davis, who had recently led the Kentucky Wildcats to a national championship.
His ascent at the University of Kentucky was nothing short of historic. On January 29, 2013, Noel set a school record by recording 12 blocks in a single game against Ole Miss, shattering the previous record of nine held by Sam Bowie. However, the momentum was cut short on February 12, 2013, when a torn ACL during a game against the Florida Gators ended his season. This injury likely contributed to his slide in the 2013 NBA draft, where he was eventually selected sixth overall by the New Orleans Pelicans.
Noel's professional career has been defined by a cycle of high potential and physical setbacks. Since being drafted, he has played for the Pelicans, the Philadelphia 76ers, the Dallas Mavericks, the Oklahoma City Thunder, the New York Knicks, the Detroit Pistons, the Brooklyn Nets, and the Sacramento Kings. Throughout these stints, he has dealt with various ailments, ranging from knee surgeries and tendinitis to plantar fasciitis and thumb ligament tears, illustrating the volatile nature of professional athletics.
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