The current President of the French Basketball Federation, Jean Pierre Siutat drew criticism on Joel Embiid’s decision to play for Team USA in the 2024 Summer Olympics.
President of the French Basketball Federation, Jean Pierre Siutat, talks about Joel Embiid flip-flopping on his France commitment and joining the USA
“Team USA, with him, who can beat you? Come on, nobody. This is an easy way for him to get an Olympic medal.”😬
(Via… pic.twitter.com/RUvcXo6jtX
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) March 20, 2024
Embiid had decided to join Team USA in the 2024 Summer Olympics, and Pierre Siutat believed he took the easy way out by joining a super team over the French national team.
President Siutat told The Athletic’s Joe Vardon,
“Team USA, with him, who can beat you? Come on, nobody. This is an easy way for him to get an Olympic medal.”
Embiid had committed to Team USA in October who was also eligible to compete for France and Cameroon.
Originally from Cameroon, immigrated to the U.S. at age 16 to pursue basketball. Embiid holds citizenship in the United States and France and was eligible to compete in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris for either Team USA, Team France, or Team Cameroon.
The NBA’s reigning MVP admitted to reporters his decision to choose which country to represent wasn’t easy.
Embiid in October shared with ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne,
“I love all three options, you know, with my home country, which I love a lot. But I really want to participate in the Olympics, that’s been my goal and my dream. And you add that with the fact that my son is American, and I’ve been here for such a long time. … I’m really thankful for the opportunity. France—the commitment they were willing to make—I really appreciate it. It was a tough decision.”
In the 2024 Summer Olympics team USA is dominant with LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Jayson Tatum, Anthony Edwards, Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Jrue Holiday on the roster.
Prior to injuring his knee, Embiid averaged 35.3 points, 11.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 1.8 blocks in 34 games while shooting 53.3 percent from the floor and 36.6 percent from deep.
