NBA Insider Makes Prediction About Joel Embiid’s National Status

Since last summer, Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid has garnered attention from multiple National teams. First, the Sixers’ big man had eyes on joining France’s team after he obtained his French passport.

But soon after it became public that Embiid became a French citizen, the six-time All-Star big man confirmed that he acquired citizenship in the United States of America as well.

To no surprise, Team USA showed interest. Suddenly, Embiid had two teams approaching him.

Last year, Embiid made it clear that preparing for the 2022-2023 NBA season was his top priority. As the big man underwent two separate surgical procedures to repair hand injuries, Embiid wanted to focus solely on getting healthy for Philadelphia’s season.

After helping lead the Sixers to the third seed in the Eastern Conference and winning the NBA’s MVP award, Embiid’s Sixers struggled beyond the second round. Following a round-one sweep over the Brooklyn Nets, Embiid and the Sixers fell short to the Boston Celtics.

For the second straight season, Embiid entered the offseason battling an injury, with no intentions of making his National team status known. Both France and the USA are expected to maintain interest in Embiid ahead of next year’s Olympic Games, but the big man’s status remains unclear.

Recently, ESPN’s Tim Bontemps offered some thoughts on Embiid’s potential decision, making it known that he’d be shocked if Embiid went with France next summer.

“I don’t see any scenario he plays for France,” Bontemps said on The Hoop Collective Podcast with Brian Windhorst. “I would be stunned if he did. I’ll be pretty surprised if he plays for Team USA either, but I’d be pretty stunned if he plays for France.”

Boris Diaw, the French team’s General Manager, recently clarified that France won’t put together a “pursuit” for Embiid. Rather, they want to reserve spots on their team for players who don’t need to be swayed or convinced. Ultimately, the ball is in Embiid’s court.

While Bontemps’s recent prediction hints that Embiid could scrap playing for a National team, both countries’ squads will certainly keep an eye on the NBA’s reigning MVP, as his services would be welcomed to the Olympics for the first time.