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NBA Rumors: Philadelphia 76ers’ Nerlens Noel is 100%

By Andrew Melnick

Mar 15, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Nerlens Noel (4) watches the game against the Memphis Grizzlies during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Grizzlies defeated the 76ers, 103-77. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 15, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Nerlens Noel (4) watches the game against the Memphis Grizzlies during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Grizzlies defeated the 76ers, 103-77. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 15, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Nerlens Noel (4) watches the game against the Memphis Grizzlies during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Grizzlies defeated the 76ers, 103-77. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 15, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Nerlens Noel (4) watches the game against the Memphis Grizzlies during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Grizzlies defeated the 76ers, 103-77. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /

It has been a tough last year for Philadelphia 76ers’ rookie big man Nerlens Noel.

He injured his knee while playing for the Kentucky Wildcats back in 2013 and it may have kept him from being the top pick of the draft.

The Cleveland Cavaliers, who held the top pick, went with UNLV Rebels’ forward Anthony Bennett and the Orlando Magic took Indiana Hoosiers’ guard Victor Oladipo next.

Noel finally was selected bv the New Orleans Pelicans with the sixth overall pick, but his rights were traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for point guards Jrue Holiday and Pierre Jackson.

Noel flirted with the idea of playing this season but instead, it looks like he will be held out for the entire season.

That’s been hard on Noel, but it has allowed him to heal his knee, telling reporters it was “100%.”

“Obviously I do want to play,” Noel explained. “I’m a 19-year-old who’s been sitting down on the sideline really wanting to get out there and show my abilities and to be able to play ball.

“It’s been tough, but it’s something we had to do.”

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