The semi-final exit at the World Cup still hurts the USA. Debates have been going on for weeks about whether to send its supposed best players to the 2024 Olympics after all. Many stars have already signalled their yes – and now Joel Embiid is being added to the list.
“At the top of the world. Joel Embiid has committed to Team USA,” the Sixers wrote on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, confirming previous reports from ESPN that Embiid had made his commitment in conversation with Grant Hill, executive director of the US team.
The centre was named main-round MVP last season, but his dream of a title has so far remained unfulfilled. With the 76ers he failed in the play-offs in the conference semi-finals against the Boston Celtics (3:4), also because he had delivered a weak performance in the decisive seventh game.
Embiid and the agony of choice
At national team level, the 2.13-metre-tall centre could have played for his native Cameroon or for France – he was granted French citizenship in July last year. In the same year, he also received US citizenship. In France, Embiid’s decision will be greeted with regret, as they themselves had hoped to take him to the Olympic Games in their own country.
“I love all three options,” the 29-year-old had said recently because of his many possibilities. So now he seems to have decided on the most promising option, the USA. They will almost certainly be at the starting line-up in Paris with far more celebrities than at the recent disappointing World Cup in Southeast Asia, where they were defeated in the semi-finals by eventual world champions Germany.
Kevin Durant (Phoenix Suns) has already made a firm commitment, while other top players such as LeBron James, Anthony Davis (both Los Angeles Lakers), Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors) and Paul George (Los Angeles Clippers) have also signalled their willingness to play.
