Joakim Noah to rehab ankle for France

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Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah has returned to Chicago to rehabilitate a previous ankle injury in Chicago after medical exams for the European Championships caught the attention of France's basketball federation.

Noah's condition surfaced while players were taking medical exams in Paris last week, according to FIBA's website, which first reported that Noah would have to rehab the ankle. ESPNChicago.com confirmed that Noah had to return to Chicago.

Team France's medical staff proposed a rehab program, the website reported.

"In an act of transparency, (France's basketball federation -- the FFBB) sent the medical reports to his club and his agent," the FFBB said in a statement.

The FFBB announced on Tuesday that it had obtained insurance for its players, according to the site, which was important considering NBA players are not insured during the league's work stoppage.

Noah initially hurt his right ankle on March 28 against the Philadelphia 76ers. He returned to the Bulls on April 5.

The FFBB reportedly sent one of its representatives -- Crawford Palmer -- to Chicago "to coordinate the rehabilitation program of the player in accordance with his agent," FIBA's website reported.

Noah was scheduled to leave for France on July 11 and remain there through the tournament, which runs through Sept. 18.

France's training camp was scheduled to open on Wednesday, according to the site. France opens play on Aug. 31 against Latvia.

Noah has U.S. and French citizenship.

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