By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Philadelphia 76ers superstar Joel Embiid considered joining France for the 2022 EuroBasket according to national team general manager Boris Diaw.
Diaw confirmed that Embiid is on his way to being registered as a French national team player once he receives all necessary documents and mentioned that the Sixers center could’ve been part of the squad this summer if he didn’t have surgery to fix finger injuries.
“His [Joel Embiid’s] request for naturalization has been accepted,” said Diaw, per L’Equipe. “We know that he’s still waiting for the French passport. When he obtains it, then he can start the process and apply for a FIBA license for the national team. He would’ve liked to play this summer if he hadn’t been injured. But he underwent hand surgery and didn’t return to basketball.”
“It would’ve been too close, for him and Victor Wembanyama,” Diaw, a former NBA champion and captain of the French national team added, referring to Wembanyama’s absence due to an injury he sustained during the Jeep Elite playoffs.
Embiid will likely be able to make his debut with France in the 2023 World Cup, given that the team qualifies for the tournament.