Joel Embiid Goes Viral for Epic Gesture to Booing French Crowd on Gold Medal Stand

Joel Embiid said early in the Paris Olympics that he welcomed the booing from the home French crowd.

On Saturday, on the gold medal stand, he was basking in them.

Embiid sparked some controversy when he decided to play for Team USA instead of France or Cameroon, where he also has citizenship. The home French crowd booed Embiid every time he touched the ball through the tournament, including the gold medal game where he helped lead Team USA to a 98-87 win over France.

After the game, as he stood beside his teammates waiting for his medal, Embiid raised his arms to welcome the jeers. After being awarded the gold medal, Embiid raises his fists in triumph and clutched his medal before unleashing a gesture made popular through the WWE.

The celebration captured some viral attention, with fans sharing praise for Embiid.

"France was booing Embiid when receiving his gold medal, and in the most WWF way possible Team USA embraced the boos and Embiid did the DX SUCK IT motion," a fan wrote in a post on X .

It was a moment that Embiid had anticipated. Earlier in the Paris Olympics, the Philadelphia 76ers star and NBA MVP said he was ready for a rough welcome from the French crowd in the gold medal game.

Related: Social Media Roasts Joel Embiid in Team USA's Gold Medal Olympics Basketball Match

“I know myself. I’m going to interact myself and I’m going to enjoy it,” Embiid said. “They’re going to boo me. I’m going to go back at them … and so it’s going to be fun.”