Where did Joel Embiid go to college? Exploring his journey to the NBA and stats during his college career

Philadelphia 76ers superstar Joel Embiid had a rough start to his NBA career after missing the first two years due to injury. Embiid didn't take long to leave his mark on his true rookie year in 2016-17. The following season, he had already become an NBA All-Star and earned All-NBA honors.

Where did Joel Embiid go to college?

Joel Embiid went to the University of Kansas for one year. He was among the 30 finalists for Naismith College Player of the Year after producing 11.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 2.6 blocks across 28 games. The Sixers drafted him as the third overall pick in 2014.

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.@JoelEmbiid got dunked on so hard in college he says he started looking at plane tickets home

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.@JoelEmbiid got dunked on so hard in college he says he started looking at plane tickets home 😂 https://t.co/wuQ3VrziKY

Embiid had to wait two years after getting drafted into the league. The Cameroonian big sustained a right foot injury, breaking his navicular bone. Embiid had to undergo surgery, subsequently leading him to miss his rookie season. Interestingly, the Sixers acquired him despite Embiid sustaining the injury only six days before the draft.

Joel Embiid's luck with injuries didn't come through in what could've been his sophomore year in 2015-16. Embiid's previous injury was a problem again, as CT scans showed it didn't heal as expected. He eventually sat out the entire season again after surgery was his only option to recover.

Embiid finally made his NBA debut in 2016. He averaged 20.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.9 blocks per game across 31 appearances, starting all games. In his first full season the following year (2017-18), he played 63 games.

Embiid averaged 22.9 ppg, 11.0 rpg and 1.9 bpg, shooting 48.3% from the field. He earned All-NBA honors and his first All-Star selection. Embiid started in that year's game, becoming the first Philadelphia 76ers player since Allen Iverson to start in the All-Star game.

Embiid didn't take long to turn into an MVP candidate. He has been one of the top choices to win the award since 2019. He finished second in voting behind Nikola Jokic for two consecutive years (2021 and 2022). During that stretch, Embiid started every All-Star game he has played.

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Reigning #KiaMVP Nikola Jokic holds down the top spot, as Joel Embiid inches closer in this week's NBA App MVP Ladder

app.link.nba.com/mvp--16

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Reigning #KiaMVP Nikola Jokic holds down the top spot, as Joel Embiid inches closer in this week's NBA App MVP Ladder 🏆

app.link.nba.com/mvp--16 https://t.co/sI0LLoBJLv

The University of Kansas prospect has turned the Philadelphia 76ers into a legitimate contender, helping them make the playoffs over the last five years. Joel Embiid has earned All-NBA team honors four times in his career and won the scoring title.

The Sixers are third in the Eastern Conference this season with a 39-20 record and are likely on their way to their sixth consecutive playoff appearance. Embiid has led the charge, averaging a career-high 33.1 ppg, shooting on 53/34/85 splits.

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