Joel Embiid to play for Team USA in 2024 Paris Olympics
Philadelphia 76ers center and reigning MVP Joel Embiid has decided to play for Team USA in the 2024 Paris Olympics over Cameroon, his home country, and France, where he also citizenship, NBA insider Shams Charania of The Athletic reported Thursday.
According to ESPN NBA insider Ramona Shelburne, Embiid met with Team USA executive director Grant Hill Tuesday in Fort Collins, Colo., where the 76ers are hosting training camp. His reasoning behind joining Team USA was to “help the United States return to the top of the international basketball world after it failed to medal” in the 2023 FIBA World Cup in Manila, per Shelburne.
It finished fourth behind Canada (bronze), Serbia (silver) and Germany (gold) in the tournament.
Embiid gave his decision to USA Basketball managing director Grant Hill in person in Fort Collins, Colorado, and now helps lead Team USA at 2024 Olympics along with expected commitments from LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, among others. https://t.co/M2T8PtM03E
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 5, 2023
Joel Embiid, the NBA’s reigning Most Valuable Player, has committed to play for Team USA at the Paris 2024 Olympics, sources told ESPN on Thursday.
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) October 5, 2023
Embiid informed Team USA executive director Grant Hill of his decision on Thursday morning, sources said, just days after the two… pic.twitter.com/W2dfW71aMs
Charania and Joe Vardon reported in September that LeBron James is ready to commit to Team USA, having spoken to Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, Jayson Tatum and Draymond Green, who were all prepared to commit. Plus, Devin Booker, Damian Lillard, De’Aaron Fox and Kyrie Irving were also reportedly considering committing, per Charania and Vardon.
Bam Adebayo, who was Team USA’s starting center in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, has been granted a spot on the roster and is planning to commit, too, according to Associated Press’ Tim Reynolds. Joel Embiid would presumably be the starting center with this upcoming group with Adebayo coming off the bench.
There could also be at least 1-2 players from the 2023 FIBA World Cup roster who could commit, following a previous precedent. The top choice would be Anthony Edwards, their best player, and possibly Mikal Bridges; Khris Middleton and Jayson Tatum vaulted from the 2019 FIBA World Cup roster to the 2020 World Cup roster, for perspective.
A lot can change between now and then–such as health and legitimate desire–but it looks like Team USA could field another star-studded roster with Joel Embiid in the fold, who will get an interesting reception in Paris throughout the tournament.
This is a breaking news story. Stay tuned for updates.
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