Noel Felix - No Doubt (p.1) - CBA Basketballl Feature on MLN Sports Zone

No Doubt
Will Sioux Falls SkyForce forward Noel Felix make the NBA? Ask him. There is no doubt.

Kori Ellis
Minor League News

Noel Felix is currently jumping center for the Sioux Falls Skyforce. Second in the league in blocks this season, he averages 13.1 points and 6.8 rebounds in 30.7 minutes per game. With his summer brush with the NBA in his mind, he stays late after practice, perfecting his game.

Dunkin’

Hard work is nothing new for Felix, going back to that night he first dunked.

“I was 12 and I just knew it was time for me to take the next step,” remembered Felix. “I wanted to dunk the ball and I wasn’t leaving until I did. I must have missed 100 times, but I eventually dunked it. From that point on, I knew I could do anything on the basketball court if I put my mind to it.”

Twelve years later, the 24-year-old is still working on his game in hope of eventually landing in the NBA.

High School Standout

Growing up in the City of Inglewood in the shadow of the Fabulous Forum, once the home to the Los Angeles Lakers, Noel Felix fell in love with the game as an 8-year-old. He could be found at the local courts perfecting his skills against older competition.

In Felix’s senior year at Inglewood High School, the 6’9” post player helped guide his team to a 30-4 record while averaging just under five blocks per game to go along with 15 points and 11 rebounds.

Swimming with the Shark

After high school, Noel traveled north and suited up for the Jerry Tarkanian-coached Fresno State Bulldogs.

It was a tumultuous period for the school’s basketball program. Numerous incidents and NCAA violations involving fellow players and coaches took the focus off the court. Through all the distractions, Felix emerged as a team leader and the starting power forward for the Bulldogs as a junior. In his senior year, Felix blocked a team-high 41 shots while averaging 8.5 points and 4.8 rebounds.

“It was rocky there with the NCAA,” said Felix. “There was a lot of adversity at Fresno State, a lot of adversity. I was able to get through it and learn from it.”

Follow the Bouncing Ballplayer

In the 2003-2004 season, his first out of college, Noel’s real travels began. After playing a short stint halfway around the globe for the Shanghai Oriental Sharks, Felix returned to the States to play in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA). In 37 games for the Idaho Stampede, he averaged 8.8 points and 3.8 rebounds, while finishing the season fifth in the league in field goal percentage (60.5%).

In the 2004-05 season, Felix decided to test the more lucrative international market, playing basketball in Italy for Carife Ferrara and later in the Philippine Basketball League. He finished the year back in the CBA with the Yakama Sun Kings. In 30 games, Felix averaged 15.7 points and 7.4 rebounds. He still racked up 1032 minutes, generating league standing in rebounds per game at 8th Overall (OA) with 222; in blocked shots 9th OA with 38; in scoring 12th OA in the league with 471 pts. 21.9 avg.

He displayed impressive versatility taking on the challenge of defending smaller players on the perimeter as well as banging down low in the post with bigger players. His relentlessness on that side of the court earned him CBA All-Defensive Team honors, and serious looks from NBA scouts.

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