Nerlens Noel has not forgotten about the teams that passed over him in the NBA draft.
The former Kentucky star, who is recovering from knee surgery, was widely pegged as the top pick in last month's draft. But, as we all remember, he tumbled all the way down to the sixth slot, where he was selected by the New Orleans Pelicans before being traded to the Philadelphia 76ers.
"I'm going to make them pay," Noel said about the teams that passed over him.
When Noel takes the court for the 76ers, which is expected to be sometime mid-season, he will have a lasting reminder of all the teams that spurned him.
As reported on @AroundTheHorn: @NerlensNoel3, per his family, wants to wear No. 5 in Philadelphia in honor of the teams that passed on him.
— Pablo S. Torre (@PabloTorre) July 10, 2013
The No. 5 is currently taken by backup forward Arnett Moultrie, so Noel may have to work out some sort of deal to get the jersey.
As Michael Kaskey-Blomain of Philly.com points out, after Andrew Bynum's seeming lack of motivation last year as he returned from an injury, 76ers fans will certainly be able to appreciate Noel's sense of urgency.
