By Antonis Stroggylakis/ info@eurohoops.net
French national team General Manager Patrick Beesley will meet with Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid in February to see how interested the player is in representing “Les Bleus”.
During the post-game presser of the NBA London game between the Sixers and the Boston Celtics, Embiid said that playing for France might be “an opportunity” for him. Beesley thinks the same for the French national team and admits that it’d be difficult to pass conscripting such a gifted hooper that could make an already star-laden squad even more powerful.
“Why not?” Beesley said about Embiid playing for France when asked on ‘Grand Week-End Sport” TV show. “It’s possible if he wishes and if the right steps are taken. It’s hard to say no, given the player’s strength and potential. So if he’ll be available, he has all the conditions to play.”
Beesley will travel to the USA next month to discuss this possibility with the Sixers big guy. Afterall, it won’t be the first time that the two sides examine the option of working together.
“We were in contact two or three years ago and approaches were made from each side,” Beesley said. “We covered some ground but the talks didn’t go any further. We’re at the same stage as we were three years ago. So why not? We’ll get back in touch to find out exactly if there’s anything to go further. I’ll go to the USA in February, so I will take the opportunity to meet with him directly.”
Embiid, 23, has been invited to the national team of Cameroon ahead of AfroBasket 2017 but ultimately didn’t wear his country’s jersey.