A few weeks after obtaining French nationality, Cameroon-born pivot Joel Embiid (28) announced on Thursday that he had received American nationality. What to see him in the Team USA jersey at Paris 2024?
This is news that must not have pleased Vincent Collet! While Joel Embiid obtained French nationality two months ago, and could therefore play in the blue jersey at the 2023 World Cup or the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, which has caused many debates in French basketball, here that we learn that the pivot born in Cameroon 28 years ago also obtained American nationality! The 76ers center confirmed at theAssociated Press Thursday that he was sworn in as an American citizen in Philadelphia two weeks ago. ” I have been here a long time. My son (Arthur, born in September 2020, editor’s note) is American. I live here and it’s a blessing to be an American. So I said, why not? “said the man with three passports. Born in Yaoundé in 1994, Joel Embiid arrived in the United States, more precisely in Florida, at 16, before joining the University of Kansas in 2012, then being drafted in first position by the 76ers two years later. .
Embiid is a fan of French culture
From the point of view of his history with the country, his American naturalization therefore seems more logical than his French naturalization. In January 2018, Joel Embiid had however confided in the columns of The team having come to France as a child and loving French culture: “I have a lot of family in France. Uncles, aunts… I went there when I was little to spend two months on vacation. I haven’t had the opportunity to go back since I’ve been in the NBA, but as long as I’m healthy and during the summer I have nothing to do here in Philadelphia, I would like to travel. I love French food, Roland-Garros! I want to see the Tour de France. I really want to attend it in the race director’s car, for a mountain event. “It now remains to wait for his answer to the big question: for which selection does he want to play? “It’s still too early to think about the Olympics or other international tournaments. I just want to be healthy and win a ring,” he confides to theAssociated Press. Strengthen the French team to face the United States eye to eye at Paris 2024, or strengthen a Team USA already quite dominant when it is complete? It’s up to him to choose…
