The long (and painful) flirtation between Joel Embiid and the French team therefore ended in a rake. Because if he is fit, the Sixers pivot will compete in the Paris Olympic Games with the United States.
On the side of Jean-Pierre Situat, the president of the French Basketball Federation, and Boris Diaw, the General Manager of the Blues, there is bitterness. Because the reigning MVP of the regular season in the NBA would have been a major sporting addition with a view to a gold medal at the 2024 Olympics, but also in relation to the promises received.
“When the government asked us: 'Would it be good to have it? Can he bring anything to France? Can he bring anything to the country?' We said yes”explained Boris Diaw recently at The Athleticon the French naturalization of Joel Embiid, for “exceptional interest for France”.
Team USA, the easy solution?
This is because French leaders were convinced that Joel Embiid was committed to playing for the Blues. A promise that a spokesperson for the person concerned denied, explaining that there was simply a common interest.
Except that RMC Sport has just revealed the letter sent by the Sixers pivot to Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic, in order to justify his naturalization. In it, he writes in particular: “After discussion with the French Basketball Federation, my choice has now been made. I would like to take the steps to obtain French naturalization and thus be eligible for selection with the Blues. I therefore do not wish to play for any other national team. »
But promises only bind those who believe in them, and Joel Embiid is now in the squad of Team USA.
“Team USA, with him, who can beat them? Nobody, obviously”concluded Jean-Pierre Siutat, still for The Athletic. “It’s the easy way out for him to get an Olympic medal. »
| Joel Embiid | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2016-17 | PHL | 31 | 25 | 46.6 | 36.7 | 78.3 | 2.0 | 5.9 | 7.8 | 2.1 | 3.6 | 0.9 | 3.8 | 2.5 | 20.2 |
| 2017-18 | PHL | 63 | 30 | 48.3 | 30.8 | 76.9 | 2.3 | 8.7 | 11.0 | 3.2 | 3.3 | 0.6 | 3.7 | 1.8 | 22.9 |
| 2018-19 | PHL | 64 | 34 | 48.4 | 30.0 | 80.4 | 2.5 | 11.1 | 13.6 | 3.7 | 3.3 | 0.7 | 3.5 | 1.9 | 27.5 |
| 2019-20 | PHL | 51 | 30 | 47.7 | 33.1 | 80.7 | 2.8 | 8.9 | 11.6 | 3.0 | 3.4 | 0.9 | 3.1 | 1.3 | 23.0 |
| 2020-21 | PHL | 51 | 31 | 51.3 | 37.7 | 85.9 | 2.2 | 8.4 | 10.6 | 2.8 | 2.4 | 1.0 | 3.1 | 1.4 | 28.5 |
| 2021-22 | PHL | 68 | 34 | 49.9 | 37.1 | 81.4 | 2.2 | 9.6 | 11.7 | 4.2 | 2.7 | 1.1 | 3.2 | 1.5 | 30.6 |
| 2022-23 ★ | PHL | 66 | 35 | 54.8 | 33.0 | 85.7 | 1.7 | 8.4 | 10.2 | 4.2 | 3.1 | 1.0 | 3.4 | 1.7 | 33.1 |
| 2023-24 | PHL | 39 | 34 | 52.9 | 38.8 | 88.3 | 2.4 | 8.6 | 11.0 | 5.6 | 2.9 | 1.2 | 3.9 | 1.7 | 34.7 |
| Total | 433 | 32 | 50.4 | 34.1 | 82.6 | 2.2 | 8.9 | 11.2 | 3.6 | 3.1 | 0.9 | 3.4 | 1.7 | 27.9 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
