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Report: New Zealand club pursuing Joakim Noah

Joe Murphy / National Basketball Association / Getty

The New Zealand Breakers are reportedly trying to convince former NBA All-Star center Joakim Noah to play in Australia's National Basketball League (NBL) next season, league sources told Marc Stein of the New York Times.

Noah's former collegiate teammate, Matt Walsh, is the Breakers' owner and is leading the recruitment efforts, reports Stein.

The 34-year-old is also drawing NBA interest after a successful 42-game stint with the Memphis Grizzlies last season and is taking a "selective" approach for his next destination, according to Stein.

Walsh sees the 2014 NBA Defensive Player of the Year as a "dream signing" and envisions a scenario similar to that of Andrew Bogut, who returned to the Association in March at the conclusion of his NBL campaign, Stein adds.

The New York Knicks waived Noah in October, halfway through a four-year, $72.6-million contract. He signed with Memphis just under two months later and averaged 7.1 points and 5.7 rebounds in a reserve role.

Noah earned All-NBA first-team honors during the 2013-14 season and won back-to-back national championships with Florida in 2006 and 2007.

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