By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
In July, Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid got French citizenship, but his future with the national team of France was in doubt when he later gained a US passport.
Despite that, the general manager of the Blues Boris Diaw, who earlier stated that Thomas Heurtel is not definitely out of the out despite playing in Russian club Zenit St. Petersburg, still believes that the Cameronian-born player will play for France
“There has been no development since the last time we spoke. Getting American nationality was something we knew for quite some time. It’s more about making his living in the United States easier, ” Diaw said.
With a resounding “Yes” he confirmed his beliefs since Diaw previously mentioned that Embiid could play for the French national team in the upcoming World Cup.
“He doesn’t have the FIBA license yet. But it would be nice if he could have this license and play for the France team. We know he has become French so why not, we try to have as many good players as possible and then make a team that holds its own and plays well together”, the general manager of France stated in September, after the Blues won the silver medal at EuroBasket.
According to the FIBA rules, Embiid, who hasn’t played for any national team yet not even at the junior level, can be used as a naturalized player either from France or the USA. However, when he makes his choice and gets a FIBA license, he can’t change it.
As veteran reporter Marc Stein previously reported, Team USA also came knocking.
“Sources tell me USA Basketball has a confirmed interest in recruiting Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid to the national team and hopes to beat out France for Embiid’s international commitment”, he tweeted in early October.
This season, Embiid averages 28.0 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 3.6 assists wearing a Sixers jersey in the NBA. Last season, he was one of the favorites to win the MVP award, but it ended up in the hands of the Serbian Nikola Jokić.