Sixers’ Joel Embiid Could Represent USA at 2024 Olympics
Next summer, two teams will be working to land Joel Embiid for the 2024 Olympics in Paris. Although the Philadelphia 76ers’ star hasn’t represented a squad on the world stage, he is eligible to take his talents to the Olympics for the first time next year.
Last summer, it became clear that Embiid became a French citizen. It seemed his plan all along was to obtain a passport from France so he could represent the national team. However, once it became clear that Embiid became a U.S. citizen as well, Team USA showed an interest in him.
It comes as no surprise the two-time MVP runner-up and now one-time MVP winner has multiple teams eyeing him up. The question now becomes, will Embiid play in the Olympics? And if so, which country will he represent?
Throughout the 2022-2023 NBA season, Embiid avoided offering his thoughts on the situation. As he looked to keep the focus on the Sixers, he refused to discuss his plans beyond playing for the franchise that pays him the big bucks in the NBA.
But just because Embiid won’t publicly state his opinion on the matter doesn’t mean Team USA had backed off. According to USA Basketball Managing Director Grant Hill, he’s been in contact with Embiid. However, Hill remains unsure where Embiid’s head is right now.
“I’ve talked to him,” Hill said on SiriusXM’s NBA Radio. “He has options, he’s a great player. But he’s also somebody that we’ve talked to about next summer and, you know, we’ll see. We’ll see how that plays out. I know he just got married, so I want to congratulate him on that. It’s tough. France is a team that has probably been our toughest opponent, at least in the last squad — they beat us in the opening game in the Olympics in ‘21 — and then in a very close, hard-fought win we beat them in the Gold Medal game. And you think about Wembanyama and the potential of others, so it’s not easy.”
Although France could be stacked with even more talent next summer, their frontcourt might be crowded, which could play in USA’s favor as they pursue Embiid.
Two years ago, it might’ve seemed Embiid’s presence on France’s team would be inevitable. Considering he’s skipping out on the FIBA World Cup once again this summer, the narrative is shifting. There’s no guarantee Embiid will participate next season, as he’s prioritized Sixers hoops over everything. But Team USA will keep tabs on the situation in hopes that the Cameroonian star joins forces with some of the NBA’s top talent.
