Author: Dhruv Patil
Joel Embiid, the celebrated forward of the Philadelphia 76ers and current NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP), made an exciting announcement on October 5, 2023, expressing his strong desire to represent the United States at the next Olympic Games in Paris in 2024.
Embiid’s decision to participate in the Paris Olympics was confirmed after discussions with executives from the United States Basketball Federation. This commitment to wear the USA jersey at the Olympic basketball tournament means a significant addition to the American team’s roster.
Grant Hill, former NBA player and current executive director of the United States Federation, has officially confirmed the news. According to ESPN, Hill and Embiid had a productive two-hour meeting to finalize the details of his Olympic participation.
“It’s exciting for the United States that Joel Embiid wants to represent us. Joel and I have talked a lot and we’re looking forward to continuing the dialog, knowing that one of those goals is to represent the United States in Paris“, said Grant Hill in a press release, highlighting the enthusiasm of the American basketball community for Embiid’s decision.
Although Joel Embiid had the option of representing several countries, including his native Cameroon and his adopted homeland of France, due to his dual nationality, he ultimately chose to represent the United States, a decision that will undoubtedly increase the American basketball team’s chances of Olympic success.
Embiid’s commitment to the Paris Olympics is in line with a growing trend of NBA stars showing interest in international competition. Renowned player Stephen Curry also expressed his desire to compete in the Olympics, emphasizing that an Olympic medal is “the only thing missing” from his illustrious basketball career.
Joel Embiid, 29, has an impressive basketball resume, including six All-Star selections, three appearances on the NBA All-Defensive First Team and consecutive seasons as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. Having been drafted in 2014, Embiid has remained loyal to the Philadelphia 76ers throughout his career, earning admiration for his exceptional skills and contributions to the sport.