Why is Joel Embiid playing for Team USA? Sixers center in Paris

Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid is on the court for Team USA , and despite playing for the NBA team that evokes America, it wasn’t a guarantee.

In fact, some are surprised to see the Sixer’s big man wearing red, white, and blue in Paris.

Why is Joel Embiid on Team USA?

Born in Cameroon, Joel Embiid had the option to represent his birth country, France (where he gained citizenship in 2022), or the United States, where he has lived since moving for high school.

His decision to play for Team USA was influenced by his strong connections with American players and coaches, and his desire to compete at the highest level. Embiid has credited the United States for his development both personally and professionally, seeing this as a way to give back.

Having started playing for the Sixers in the 2016-2017 season, his role on Team USA should boost their chances of reclaiming the gold medal, following a disappointing performance in the 2019 FIBA World Cup and Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

If Embiid had played for France, he could have teamed up with NBA stars like Rudy Gobert and Victor Wembanyama , significantly bolstering their lineup and creating a formidable team.

Cameroon did not field a basketball team for the Paris Games, failing to secure an Olympic spot in Olympic Qualifying Tournament play. Cameroon has never earned an Olympic basketball berth.

This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Why is Joel Embiid playing for Team USA? Sixers center in Paris