Joel Embiid was awarded the 2023 NBA MVP after a sensational season where he won the scoring title while providing two-way excellence for his Philadelphia 76ers.
Regardless of the narratives surrounding this year’s MVP race, Embiid’s win is extremely significant, as he’s only the second African player after Hakeem Olajuwon to win the award. He introspected on getting to this stage and hoping to inspire more people.
“The probability of someone like me, starting playing basketball at 15, to get the chance to be MVP, is probably negative zero. We don’t have a lot of opportunities in Africa in general, but improbable doesn’t mean impossible, you can accomplish anything you set your mind to as long as you believe in it and you keep working hard. Anything can happen.”
Joel Embiid after winning MVP: "Improbable doesn't mean impossible. You can accomplish anything you set your mind to as long as you believe in it." pic.twitter.com/MiLji2k54b
— HoopsHype (@hoopshype) May 4, 2023
Embiid averaged 33.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 4.2 assists this season and is currently in a 1-1 series tie in the second round with rivals Boston Celtics. He returned to action from a knee sprain in a brutal Game 2 loss to Boston and will hope to find his form when the series heads back to Philly for Games 3 and 4.
Joel Embiid Wants To Inspire Fellow African Athletes
Joel Embiid also reiterated his ‘improbable doesn’t mean impossible’ mantra while talking about other African players making it to the NBA and having to work extra hard to get the recognition they deserve.
“Improbable doesn’t mean impossible. A lot of us don’t get the opportunity when. We come to the US, to go to high school and college and have a chance to be on an NBA roster, let alone being an All-Star… Being a role model to my African people, that’s the best of all. I want us to succeed, for us to usually achieve something we have to work twice as hard as everybody else. I want them to understand that we can do it, it’s possible. You have to be a little lucky, but it’s possible.”
"Improbable doesn't mean impossible."
Joel Embiid on inspiring the next generation of African hoopers.#NBAAwards | #KiaMVP | @Kia pic.twitter.com/xAck1uu7t9
— NBA (@NBA) May 3, 2023
The Cameroonian center finished second in the MVP race in consecutive seasons, losing to Nikola Jokic before finally breaking through and winning the award this season. This marks the fifth season where the MVP had gone to a non-American player, with the last American to win the trophy being James Harden in 2018.
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