The 2007 MVP of the Final Four NCAA basketball tourney and current Chicago Bulls forward Joakim Noah was arrested in Gainesville on May 25, 2008 for having an "open container" of alcohol. While being searched at the station, police found a joint inside a cigarette pack in his pants pocket. Noah was charged with two misdemeanors.

The 6-11 Noah was reportedly drinking cognac when police stopped him on S. Main St. in Gainesville. After he placed the cup on the sidewalk. police smelled it and proceeded to arrest Noah, whose father Yannick won the French Open tennis tournament in 1983.

UPDATE: On May 28, 2008, Noah paid a $200 fine and was sentenced to six-months' probation as a first-time offender.

Noah led the Florida Gators college basketbal team to consecutive national championships in 2006 and 2007. He was the Bulls No. 1 pick in the 2007 draft (ninth overall) and averaged 6.6 points and 5.6 rebounds per game during his rookie season.

The last NBA player to be busted for marijuana possession was Justin Reed on Sept. 4, 2007.

Noah's arrest came a month after Orlando Magic forward Josh Howard stated, "Most of the players in the league use marijuana. I have and do partake in smoking weed in the off-season sometimes, and that's my personal choice and my personal opinion. But I don't think that's stopping me from doing my job."

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