Joel Embiid receives French citizenship, Sixers star could play for France at 2024 Olympics

According to a report by bebasket.fr, Joel Embiid received his French citizenship on June 4 after it was confirmed by the Journal Officiel de la République Française, the official journal of the French Republic. The Cameroonian-born Embiid was crucial for the Philadelphia 76ers  in the 2021–22 NBA season and led the league with 30.6 points scored per game.

With his recently obtained French passport, he is now legally free to consider participating in the 2024 Paris Olympics as a member of the French national team.

By beating Team USA in the 2020 Olympic Group Stage, France was already attempting to position itself as a rival to the United States. With the acquisition of Embiid, France now has a potentially dangerous lineup for the Next Summer Games, despite the fact that the United States exacted revenge by beating France in the Gold Medal game.

Has France become the biggest danger to defeating USA Basketball since the acquisition of Embiid? Or are we talking about other developing nations like Serbia, Australia, and Canada?

The information was verified on the Olympics’ official website. The French Republic’s Official Gazette recognized his citizenship on July 5. The five-time All-Star may so represent France at the 2023 FIBA World Championship and the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. On the roster of each national team, FIBA permits one naturalized player.

Image Credits – NBC Sports

Embiid disclosed that he hasn’t played for Cameroon and that he may apply to become a French citizen in 2018. The 28-year-old was born in Yaoundé, the capital of French-speaking Cameroon. Embiid speaks excellent French and has relatives that reside in France.

Recent criticism of the Spanish Players Union and the response of Real Madrid veteran Rudy Fernandez were brought on by the situation of former Sixer Lorenzo Brown, who obtained Spanish citizenship to support Spain in its forthcoming FIBA EuroBasket obligations. Both parties contend that Brown’s inclusion in the Spanish national team will lessen the opportunity for homegrown athletes to represent their country.

The 2022 EuroBasket will take place in France from September 1 until September 18. Whether Joel Embiid will be selected for the competition is still up in the air. France is in Group B with Germany, Hungary, Lithuania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, and Slovenia. In the Round of 16, they were dramatically eliminated by Germany in 2017.

Embiid just finished as the runner-up for the MVP for the second time in a row. Last season, he had an average of 30.6 points, 11.7 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.5 blocks. The Sixers were defeated by the Miami Heat in six games after he guided them to the Eastern Conference playoffs.

 

 

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