Andscape
Noah admired the beautiful scene and reassured that being near the giraffe was less worrisome compared to the lions. He noted the contrast in energy between the two animals – whereas the giraffe was peacefully eating leaves from a tree, the lion had an aggressive desire to consume chips. This difference in behavior gave off a distinct vibe.
Andscape
According to Larenty, when someone is burdened with numerous concerns and juggling multiple personal matters, receiving a comforting embrace from the lion has a way of easing all worries. Larenty also shares that as he ages, he values his relationships with animal companions just as much as human friendships, if not more. It is an honor for him to have the opportunity to work with these animals.
During the tour, Larenty’s initial destination was to see two lions, one of which was his favorite named George, and two lionesses. He parked the bus next to the lions who were lounging on the ground. Larenty enticed the lions to stand and walk by throwing raw meat towards them.
Marc J. Spears, senior writer for Andscape’s NBA coverage, was once known for his dunking skills. However, due to knee issues, he is no longer able to showcase this talent.
Joakim Noah is determined to alter the perception surrounding African basketball. Read more.
Noah said that working with BAL is crucial. He finds it truly fulfilling to travel throughout the continent. South Africa holds a special significance, being a land charged with history and known for the Zulus, fierce warriors. The country has a rich, revolutionary past. Noah was drawn to join BAL primarily because of its strong leadership.
Though Noah is considered a native of New York, his love for Africa is evident as he proudly sports a Cameroon T-shirt. He has fond memories of his childhood trips to Cameroon with his father and continues his efforts to give back to the community by constructing new courts in Cameroon and Nigeria. Noah also attends BAL games in various countries such as South Africa, Rwanda, and Egypt, as well as exploring the Lion & Safari Park. Every moment spent in Africa holds special significance for him.
Noah’s visit to South Africa was his first. It’s eighth country he has visited in Africa. He says he fell in love with South Africa, the restaurants and nightlife in Johannesburg during visits to BAL games and a Special Olympics event in Pretoria and the Mandela House. But of all the South African events, Noah was most excited about going to the Lion & Safari Park in March.
Observing Joakim Noah, a two-time NBA All-Star, as he takes a trip to the Lion & Safari Park located in South Africa.
“I have a great deal of faith and confidence in Amadou Fall, the president of BAL. He has shown his support for me since the early days of my career, when he came to my village in Cameroon to host my first basketball camp. This act of kindness was well before the establishment of BAL, and it was a demonstration of his commitment to my community and my roots. I distinctly remember him addressing the children and I thought to myself, ‘This man is a true leader with a clear vision.’ Now that I have retired from basketball and this opportunity with BAL has presented itself, I feel even more driven and purposeful than I did when I was playing.”
“I have a great deal of faith and confidence in Amadou Fall, the president of BAL. He has shown his support for me since the early days of my career, when he came to my village in Cameroon to host my first basketball camp. This act of kindness was well before the establishment of BAL, and it was a demonstration of his commitment to my community and my roots. I distinctly remember him addressing the children and I thought to myself, ‘This man is a true leader with a clear vision.’ Now that I have retired from basketball and this opportunity with BAL has presented itself, I feel even more driven and purposeful than I did when I was playing.”
Rewording: In the top photo, we see Alex Larenty, a guide at Lion & Safari Park, speaking to the group. In the bottom photo, a lion is seen close to the caged bus during the park tour. “I have a great deal of faith and confidence in Amadou Fall, the president of BAL. He has shown his support for me since the early days of my career, when he came to my village in Cameroon to host my first basketball camp. This act of kindness was well before the establishment of BAL, and it was a demonstration of his commitment to my community and my roots. I distinctly remember him addressing the children and I thought to myself, ‘This man is a true leader with a clear vision.’ Now that I have retired from basketball and this opportunity with BAL has presented itself, I feel even more driven and purposeful than I did when I was playing.”
Noah spoke to Andscape while they were at the Lion & Safari Park about the unique hierarchy in the wild. He mentioned how people often refer to it as the “lion order”. Being surrounded by these majestic animals in their natural habitat and feeling their raw, primal energy is a transformative experience that stays with you.
Noah sat at the back of the bus, admiring the lions when Larenty instructed him to prepare for a closeup. Larenty placed three chunks of meat on a metal rod and held it near the side of the bus, just a foot away from Noah, through the bars. The lion pounced, grabbed onto the bus, and devoured the meat while Noah looked on with a mix of both happiness and wariness, making eye contact with the lion. Later, a thrilled Noah used FaceTime to excitedly recount the experience to his wife, Lais Ribero.
Former NBA players Noah, Grant Hill, Junior Bridgeman, Luol Deng, and Dikembe Mutombo have all put their investments into the Basketball Africa League (BAL). The BAL is currently in its fourth season, featuring 12 teams from 12 different African countries. Preliminary games have already taken place in Pretoria, South Africa, with upcoming games in Dakar, Senegal and Cairo, Egypt. The playoffs and championship game will take place in Kigali, Rwanda. The NBA-led BAL is a collaboration between FIBA and NBA Africa.
During the rest of the tour, there were opportunities to observe wildebeests, hyenas, and a black leopard up close. One particular lioness startled the tourists on Noah’s bus when it attempted to take a backpack with its teeth, but Larenty intervened and prevented any harm. The tour also included sightings of impalas in their natural habitat, vulnerable to potential predation by the lions.
During the tour, we made a final stop to visit a gentle giraffe who stood at a height of approximately 16 feet. As our guide, Noah, approached the giraffe, he happily fed it potato chips from his hand. Larenty, known for his adventurous spirit, even fed the giraffe a potato chip directly from his mouth.
Jewell Loyd’s position as a WNBA ambassador for the Basketball Africa League is not something she takes lightly and she recognizes the significance of it.
The giraffe’s stunning appearance and impressive stature made a lasting impact.
During his NBA career from 2007 to 2020, Noah was known for his defensive skills. He maintained strong stats, averaging 8.8 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game in 672 games. He was recognized as the NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2014 and was selected for the All-NBA Defensive Team three times. In addition to these accolades, the former University of Florida standout also made appearances in the NBA All-Star games in 2013 and 2014 while playing for the Chicago Bulls.