As of now, Joel Embiid is a superstar, a top 10 player, and he’s recently signed a lucrative $196 million extension with the Philadelphia 76ers. His dominance on both ends is insane, and there’s no doubt that he has developed into a player that can lead his own team. However, it seems as though that wasn’t always the case for the Cameroonian big man.
Overtime has recently posted a video of Joel Embiid playing basketball 10 years ago when he was just beginning his foray into the sport. The clip shows Joel Embiid messing up a simple fast break, passing up a layup, and eventually turning the ball over. The caption expressed surprise at Joel Embiid going from not finishing easy plays to signing a supermax with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Joel Embiid himself responded to the clip and revealed that the video was from his first basketball season and that he understood why he was on the JV squad back then. There is no question that Joel Embiid has put in a lot of work since then to become the player that he is currently, but it is certainly funny to see that one of the best players in the world used to mess up a simple fast break.
LMAO!! First year playing ball 10 years ago.. No wonder they had me playing on the JV squad. KG said it “Anything is possible” ha https://t.co/DdsC7xrKHK
— Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) August 19, 2021
It was always going to take some time for Joel Embiid to learn basketball, as he came into the sport late with his background being soccer. However, it is clear that he has developed over the years very nicely.
Utah Jazz All-Star Donovan Mitchell commented underneath the video and stated that he didn’t realize that the person in the clip was Joel Embiid until today, while also congratulating Embiid on the supermax.
I was today’s years old when I realized this is you😂😂 congrats my guy!!
— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) August 19, 2021
Joel Embiid singing the supermax showed that he was willing to commit his near future to the Philadelphia 76ers, and try to lead them to a championship. Hopefully, he is able to go further in the playoffs and make it out of the second round for the first time.
