"I have never worn the colors of any national team": Joel Embiid once promised French President he would represent them in 2024 Olympics
Joel Embiid will play for Team USA in the 2024 Paris Olympics in July. Only last year, the Cameroon-born Embiid decided to play for Team USA. According to the reports, before the Philadelphia 76ers star pledged to play for the USA, he had made a promise to play for the French national team.
Embiid holds citizenship in Cameroon, France and the USA. Almost two years ago, the 76ers star vowed to play for the French national team in a letter to the French President. RMC Sport secured a letter that Embiid sent to Emmanuel Macron in 2021. In the letter, Embiid made a commitment to play only for the French national team.
"I have never worn the colors of any national team. It would be an immense honor for me to join this French team to participate in the next major international competitions, first and foremost the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games," Embiid wrote in the letter. "I do not wish to play for any other national team."
Joel Embiid was granted French citizenship in July 2022, right before he got citizenship in the USA. He was offered a jersey for Team USA for the Paris Olympics by USA Basketball managing director Grant Hill. Embiid will wear the No. 11 jersey.
Joel Embiid joins star-studded Team USA for Paris Olympics
Team USA announced the roster for the Paris Olympics on Wednesday. Joel Embiid is one of the biggest stars on the roster.
The 12-man roster has three greatest players in basketball history: LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Steph Curry. Other names include James' LA Lakers teammate Anthony Davis, Boston Celtics' Jayson Tatum and Jrue Holiday and the Suns' Devin Booker.
Miami Heat's Bam Adebayo, Minnesota Timberwolves big star Anthony Edwards, Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton and LA Clippers star Kawhi Leonard, who recently filled the vacant 12th spot on the roster.
Grant Hill said this year's roster will be one of the most iconic ones in the team's history.
“We’re giving ourselves a chance to win with the talent we have,” Hill said on NBC’s 'Today' show. “It’ll be exciting. It’ll be tough. It won’t be easy. We have great respect for all the other teams. But certainly, this is going to be an iconic roster.”
This is perhaps the most accomplished USA team roster, particularly in terms of national team achievements. Durant, James, Davis, Adebayo, Booker, Tatum and Holiday share 10 Olympic gold medals. This will be the first time Embiid will be playing for any national team in his career.