(Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
The Philadelphia 76ers had plenty on their plate already, with James Harden’s desire to be traded.
On top of that, they also had Joel Embiid’s impending decision for his national team for the 2024 Olympics, but that should no longer be a distraction.
According to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, the reigning MVP has made up his mind, and he’s decided to play for USA Basketball in the upcoming tournament.
Joel Embiid, the NBA’s reigning Most Valuable Player, has committed to play for Team USA at the Paris 2024 Olympics, sources told ESPN on Thursday.
Embiid informed Team USA executive director Grant Hill of his decision on Thursday morning, sources said, just days after the two… pic.twitter.com/W2dfW71aMs
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) October 5, 2023
Per Shelburne, Embiid has already let Team USA executive director Grant Hill know of his decision, and he’s looking forward to helping the national team bounce back and get back on top after a disappointing outing in the FIBA Basketball World Cup.
Embiid was also eligible to play for France or Cameroon, and the French federation had given him a deadline to make his decision.
The French would only wait for him until October 10, so Embiid’s decision came before that deadline.
Of course, adding one of the best big men on Earth will give the Americans a much-needed boost at their thinnest position.
FIBA basketball is way more physical and somewhat old-school, and big men are vital.
Embiid will now join a group led by a plethora of superstars like LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, and many more, putting together one of the most stacked rosters in basketball history.
This decision will likely grant him some criticism, especially among French and Cameroonian fans, but at the end of the day, he chose what he felt was better for him, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that.
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