Nerlens Noel Targeting April 4 for NBA Debut

Nerlens Noel sent out a Tweet on Sunday that seemed to indicate that he plans to suit up for the first time in his NBA career on April 4th in his hometown of Boston. The Sixers had leaned towards Noel not playing at all this season, but the young big insisted that there was still a chance. Per the Philadelphia Inquirer:

The Sixers (15-47) play at TD Bank that evening against the Boston Celtics.

The sources said this is just a wish that he had not disclosed to the Sixers as of Sunday afternoon.

Noel has been sidelined this season due to the anterior cruciate ligament tear he suffered in his left knee in February, 2013 during his lone season at Kentucky.

The 6-foot-11, 228-pounder is slowly increasing his activity on the court and has yet to participate in five-on-five scrimmages. Minor back spasms held him out of Sunday’s open practice for Sixers Camps participants and their families at Haverford College.

There’s a thought that the franchise doesn’t want him on the court and would be content if he missed the entire season. In October, Sixers coach Brett Brown said Noel was not likely to play this season, something the team has stood by ever since.