Joel Embiid, the seven-foot center of the Philadelphia 76ers, originally from Cameroon and also a citizen of both the United States and France.
In an unexpected twist, reports from RMC Sport reveal that Embiid, holding triple citizenship, has made the stark decision to represent Team USA in the 2024 Olympic Games to be held in Paris, France.
Embiid’s story is as fascinating as it is unique. Born in Yaoundé, Cameroon, he moved to the US on a basketball scholarship at 16.
Later, he gained French citizenship through his mother’s lineage. It appears that the NBA superstar is now set to forego playing for his home country or France in favor of the United States.
Interestingly, Embiid had written a letter to French President Emmanuel Macron expressing his desire to play for France.
The letter highlighted his enchantment with French culture, hints of a relationship with French relatives, and notably, an eagerness to sport the French team’s jersey at the Olympics. However, a U-turn seems to have taken place, casting these earlier intentions aside.
“After discussion with the French Basketball Federation, my choice has now been made. I wish to take steps to obtain French naturalization and thus be able to be selected with the Blues. I therefore do not wish to play for any other national team”, he firmly commented to open his statement. “I have never worn the colors of any national team. It would be an immense honor for me to join this French team to participate in the next major international competitions, first and foremost the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games”, he said.
A leaked letter from Joel Embiid to France in 2021:
“After discussion with the French Basketball Federation, my choice has now been made. I wish to take steps to obtain French naturalization and thus be able to be selected with the Blues. I therefore do not wish to play for any… pic.twitter.com/YrIrZOykbk
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) April 18, 2024
The US Olympic Men’s Basketball Team is set to be a veritable powerhouse in Paris with a roster featuring LeBron James, Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, and a host of other NBA big names.
Embiid’s addition to this stacked lineup only makes Team USA a more formidable force.
