Joel Embiid addressed the French fans’ reaction to him playing for Team USA with a nonchalant shrug, to the Athletic’s Joe Vardon.
“I’m an American, I play for Team USA.”
The French crowd had booed Embiid the moment he was announced and continued each time he touched the ball. This reaction stemmed from Embiid obtaining French citizenship in 2022, making him eligible to play for France, only for him to ultimately choose to represent the United States.
Embiid, the Philadelphia 76ers superstar, was born in Cameroon and moved to Florida for high school, where he has lived since. He obtained passports from both France and the U.S. within weeks of each other in 2022. Despite never living in France, he entertained the idea of playing for Les Bleus internationally, influenced partly by having French family members.
French basketball officials had actively assisted Embiid in obtaining a French passport, hoping he would play for them in the Paris Olympics and the FIBA World Cup. However, Embiid cited his son’s birth in the U.S. as a significant reason for his decision to play for Team USA, along with continued pressure from French officials, which he found off-putting.
In six games for Team USA, Embiid has averaged 9.7 points and 6.0 rebounds. However, his competitive debut against Serbia in the Olympics didn’t go as planned. He recorded just 4 points on 2-of-5 shooting, along with 2 rebounds and 1 block, ending the game with a -8 plus-minus, the only negative on the team. Coach Steve Kerr had to sub him out early as Serbia took a 10-2 lead, with Anthony Davis stepping in and performing better, recording a game-high plus-minus of +28.
The French fans’ hostility was palpable, with boos echoing throughout the game and even demands for Embiid to return his French passport upon his arrival in Paris.
Despite these challenges, Joel Embiid remains focused on his role with Team USA. As the tournament progresses, he’ll need to improve his performance to solidify his place in the starting lineup. The team faces South Sudan next, a rematch from an earlier narrow win, where they will aim to secure a more decisive victory.
Team USA Needed A Big And Joel Embiid Literally Had No Obligation To Play For France
In the 2023 FIBA World Cup, Team USA was glaringly deficient in the big man department. Walker Kessler, then a rookie, was the only true big on the roster. This lack of size and interior presence was exposed as they were outrebounded and dominated in the paint, contributing significantly to their losses in the semifinals and the third-place match.
Recognizing this gap, Team USA sought to bolster their frontcourt with a dominant presence capable of matching up against international stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokic. While they had versatile bigs like Anthony Davis and Bam Adebayo, they needed an elite, imposing force. Joel Embiid, the 2023 NBA MVP and arguably the most unstoppable force in the league, fits that bill perfectly. His recruitment became a priority, and eventually, Team USA succeeded in bringing him on board.
Embiid, however, had no obligation to play for France, despite obtaining French citizenship in 2022. The decision to represent the United States was his own, influenced by personal and practical considerations.
While French basketball officials had facilitated his acquisition of a French passport, Embiid’s primary connection to France was through family rather than residency or upbringing. Born in Cameroon, Embiid moved to the United States for his high school and college education, making the U.S. his home since 2013.
In essence, while the French fans’ disappointment is understandable, it is ultimately misplaced. Embiid’s commitment to Team USA underscores his connection to the country where he has spent a significant portion of his life and developed his professional career.
For Team USA, acquiring Embiid is a crucial move to address their previous shortcomings and enhance their chances on the international stage. The French fans might feel aggrieved, but as Embiid himself indicated, he never truly belonged to them. Their loss has become Team USA’s significant gain.
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