By Cesare Milanti / info@eurohoops.net
Announced as part of the stacked 12-man roster for Team USA that will play in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, Joel Embiid has officially declared his intention to represent the United States instead of his home country Cameroon or France, as he got three citizenships.
As reported by RMC Sport, it now appears that the current Philadelphia 76ers center promised French President Emmanuel Macron with a letter back in 2021 that he would represent France.
“After discussion with the French Basketball Federation, my choice has now been made. I wish to take steps to obtain French naturalization and thus be able to be selected with the Blues. I therefore do not wish to play for any other national team”, he firmly commented to open his statement.
The 30-year-old center affirmed again his willingness. “I have never worn the colors of any national team. It would be an immense honor for me to join this French team to participate in the next major international competitions, first and foremost the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games”, he said.
During the latter, Joel Embiid shared moments of happiness with French relatives, the desire to know more about French culture, and obviously to play with the French national team. In Paris 2024, instead, he will wear the jersey of the American national team alongside LeBron James, Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, and other NBA superstars.
Joel Embiid a envoyé une lettre à Emmanuel Macron en 2021, dans laquelle il a promis de jouer pour l’équipe de France afin d’obtenir la nationalité française, selon @RMCsport.
Extrait de la lettre : « Mon choix est arrêté […] Je ne souhaite jouer pour aucune autre équipe… pic.twitter.com/mVLV7xrhkF
— Benjamin Moubèche (@BenjaminMoubech) April 18, 2024
PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images