Joel Embiid Cleared Out to Play for France

The Philadelphia 76ers’ center and a 5-time NBA All-Star, Joel Embiid, became a French citizen this week after beginning the process of obtaining citizenship in early May. The 28-year-old center won his first scoring NBA title in the 2021/22 season averaging 30.6 points per game across 68 appearances for Philly.

His new citizenship will give him a chance to represent France at the 2023 FIBA World Cup in Indonesia, Japan, and the Philippines. He is also set to play for the host nation of the 2024 Summer Olympics that will be held in Paris. With Rudy Gobert and Evan Fournier on their roster, France came really close to surprising the United States in the Gold Medal match at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

France’s men’s national basketball team has only won one major tournament in its history as the team led by Tony Parker earned the gold medals in the 2013 EuroBasket in Slovenia. Joel Embiid’s presence in the paint will be of huge importance for players like Theo Maledon and Evan Fournier who will be a threat at the 3-point line.