The soap opera is finally over. For the French team, the epilogue may have a somewhat bitter taste. After months of silence and uncertainty over his selection choice, Joel Embiid has made his decision. As Ramona Shelburne of ESPN and Shams Charania of The Athletic revealed, the MVP of the last regular season opted for Team USA on the international stage.
I love my country but I really wanted to compete in the Olympics
After obtaining French and American nationality in recent months, the 29-year-old pivot had the king’s choice between Cameroon, his country of birth, which he could have brought to his first Olympic Games, France and therefore the UNITED STATES. It is therefore within Steve Kerr’s probable armada that the Philadelphia star could try to seek Olympic gold in Paris next summer. Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Devin Booker have notably expressed their intention to represent the star-spangled banner during the Paris Olympics.
“It was difficult. Obviously, I liked all three options, Joel Embiid said Thursday at a press conference. I love my country, I love it a lot. But I really wanted to participate in the Olympic Games. It’s my goal and my dream. Add to that that my son (Arthur, born in 2020, editor’s note) is American and I have been here for so long. I have had the impression that in the last few years, since he was born, every decision I made was based on family.”
A crucial meeting with Hill
A few days ago, Joel Embiid spoke with Grant Hill, the executive director of Team USA, for more than an hour in Fort Collins, Colorado to discuss a collaboration with Steve Kerr’s band , before making his decision this Thursday morning as reported by ESPN. At the start of the week, during the Sixers’ media day, the player was very uncertain about his different options.
The ax therefore fell quickly, as expected. For the France team, this announcement also sounds like the end of the fantasy of a monstrous Wembanyama – Embiid – Gobert triplet. LeBron James and others are recovering a major piece for their redemption operation in Paris.
Wembanyama: “Since I have been in San Antonio, I have gained between 4 and 7 kg”
2023-10-05 18:47:35
#Joel #Embiid #finally #snubs #France #play #Team #USA #Paris #Olympics
