Knicks Veteran Shares Thoughts on Joel Embiid’s Olympic Decision

Last Monday, Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid confirmed that he wants to play in the 2024 Olympics. At the time, he wasn’t able to reveal which team he would represent.

Embiid had three options on the table. He could represent his homeland, Cameroon, or one of the two countries he became a citizen of last summer, France or the USA.

Last week, Embiid noted that he wanted a few days to think it over before he made his final decision. After one last meeting with Team USA’s Managing Director Grant Hill out in Colorado, Embiid gave USA his word he would join them, leaving France and Cameroon out of the picture for next year’s Olympics.

Playing for Cameroon was always a long shot for Embiid, considering they aren’t guaranteed to qualify for the Olympics. As for France, they recruited the Sixers’ big man a lot of the past year, but they won’t get his services after all.

Recently, France-born New York Knicks veteran Evan Fournier offered his thoughts on Embiid’s decision, according to Kristian Winfield of the New York Daily News.

“I think it makes them better for sure,” Fournier said regarding Embiid’s decision to choose Team USA. “They’ve been saying they need a dominant big man and now they have one. So they’re better. It’s good for basketball, for the Olympics. I think basketball is gonna be the main event in Paris next year, so it’s good for the sport.”

As much of a boost Embiid would be for France, being the NBA’s reigning MVP and all, he would’ve crowded the frontcourt as they already expect to have Minnesota Timberwolves’ Rudy Gobert and San Antonio Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama player next summer.

Team USA, on the other hand, had some uncertainty in the big man slot. Ultimately, Embiid’s decision didn’t come down to fit, though. Instead, he chose the USA for personal reasons.

“It was tough,” Embiid said last week. “I love all three options. My home country, which I love a lot. I really wanted to participate in the Olympics. That’s been a goal and my dream. And you add that with the fact that my son is American and I’ve been here for such a long time I just felt like for the past few years since he’s been born every decision has just been made based off family.”

As long as Embiid stays healthy following a potential playoff run with the Sixers, you can expect him on the Olympic stage next summer, battling against France and other countries.