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Philadelphia 76ers star center Joel Embiid has announced he will play for the United States Men’s Basketball Team at the 2024 Olympic games in Paris next summer.
Despite the fact that the 29-year-old Embiid was born in Cameroon and holds French citizenship, he also holds American citizenship and has therefore decided to “help return [the United States] to the top of the international basketball world,” according to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne.
Embiid’s commitment to and comments about Team USA comes after they lost in the FIBA Basketball World Cup to Germany in the final by a score of 113-111.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Embiid — who was drafted by the Sixers with the first overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft — said he was torn on deciding between playing for USA, France, and Cameroon.
Embiid isn’t the only NBA star to announce his intention to play at the Olympics next summer, as the likes of LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Stephen Curry have all strongly indicated they’ll be part of Team USA in 2024.
Embiid, a six-time All-Star and three-time All-Defensive team selection is coming off a season that saw him win the league’s MVP award.
Despite what Embiid might say about wanting to help the United States reclaim its international basketball throne, there’s also the fact that playing for the team represents his best chance at winning a legacy impact award: an Olympic Gold Medal.
Just look at Carmelo Anthony, for example. While his numbers alone would’ve been enough to make him a Hall of Famer, his success with Team USA made his case undeniable, as he showed he was among the best of his generation when all things were even.
Given that Embiid made this announcement after the Hall of Fame-bound trio of LeBron, Durant, and Curry hinted they’d be in Paris next summer, it’s certainly likely that the ease in which Team USA will likely sweep through the tournament played into his decision.