Report: Joel Embiid secures U.S. citizenship
Over the past few years, Sixers star Joel Embiid has proven to be one of the NBA’s top international talents. However, following recent developments, he now falls under a different category.
Recent reports have emerged that the MVP runner-up has been granted U.S. citizenship. Embiid was sworn in a few weeks ago, right here in Philadelphia. In an interview with the Associated Press, he cited his growing family as a pivotal factor in this decision.
I’ve been here for a long time, Embiid told The Associated Press Thursday at training camp at The Citadel. My son is American. I felt like, I’m living here and it’s a blessing to be an American. So I said, why not?
Joel Embiid has big decision to make regarding international play
While Embiid hails from Cameroon, he also has french citizenship. Over the summer, there was chatter about him possibly joining the french national team in the upcoming Olympics. Now that he’s also a U.S. citizen, there is another option on the table.
As far as Olympic play goes, France and the U.S. have two of the top men’s basketball teams. Either side would jump at the chance to the All-Star center to their roster. Fresh off being the first center since Shaq to win the NBA’s scoring title, he has cemented himself as arguably the best big man in the game.
Outside decisions aside, this is an extremely heartwarming moment for Embiid. He is now officially a citizen of the country where his son was born in and where he’s been able to live out the dream of being a professional athlete.
Mandatory Credit: NBA.com
