Article: NOAH'S ARC; Joakim Noah has transformed himself into a key part of Florida's tournament run, growing from a struggling freshman. An extraordinary pedigree didn't hurt.(SPORTS)

Byline: Mark Craig; Staff Writer

Joakim Noah wasn't going to be quite like anybody else. Genes from a French Open champion and a former Miss Sweden made him 6-11 with Plastic Man's extremities, all of them moving with peculiar speed and harmony. Mix in an unbridled spirit and that wild ponytail and, well, you have one of the most intriguing players to watch as the Minneapolis Regional of the NCAA men's basketball tournament shifts to the Metrodome this week.

A starting forward at the University of Florida, Noah was born in New York City 21 years ago. His father, Frenchman Yannick Noah, won the 1983 French Open and is an AfroReggae recording star living ...

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