Joel Embiid is wanted for the Olympic Games in Paris in 2024. The United States team has expressed great interest in the 28-year-old NBA star, who was born in Cameroon, playing for them in less than two years – according to journalist Mark Stein.
Embiid, who received American citizenship during the last month, is also wanted in the French team after he also became naturalized in that country in July, so he can actually choose between joining the Olympic champion and its runner-up.
On Thursday, France coach Vincent Colle told the AP: “I know he met some of our players to discuss it. I think he should play with us, but we’ll see. We’ll respect his decision, whatever it is.” The Philadelphia Sixers center will automatically become the most senior star of the tricolor if he joins them, but as part of the “Dream Team”, which will be guided by Steve Kerr who will replace Gregg Popovich, Embiid will have a higher chance for a gold medal, since he has never participated in the Olympics until now.
Embiid is coming off the record season of his career, in which he finished second in the race for the title of MVP of the regular season thanks to an average of 30.6 points per game, which placed him at the top of the scoring chart in the best league in the world.