Is Joel Embiid Actually American?
Is Joel Embiid Actually American?
By Jason Bolton July 24, 2024 07:31
Philadelphia 76ers center and towering star Joel Embiid has emerged as a dominant force in the NBA. This Cameroon native, who measures 7 feet tall, has been a fan favorite with his stellar play on the hardwood. However, Embiid has recently been the center of a few national and American identity debates/discussions.
Embiid's Roots in Cameroon
Born on March 16, 1994, in Yaoundé, Cameroon, Embiid is the son of military officer Thomas Embiid and Christine. During his childhood, Embiid was a volleyball and soccer player who had no idea how to play basketball until he turned 15 and began watching NBA highlights of Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon.
Embiid ended up in the NBA through a chain of events, starting when he attended Luc Mbah A Moute's basketball camp while he was still just a Cameroon kid trying to learn something about hooping. Upon receiving an offer from his mentor, Mbah a Moute, Embiid moved to the United States at 16 years old with aspirations of playing in the NBA.
Embiid's Path to the NBA
Embiid played one season of college basketball for the Kansas Jayhawks before declaring for the 2014 NBA draft, in which he was selected as the third overall pick by Philadelphia.
Embiid missed the first two seasons due to injuries and Began his career in 2016 as The Process. When he finally played on an NBA court, Embiid quickly emerged as one of the league's premier big men, making multiple All-Star teams and earning All-NBA Team honors. He also led the league in points per game during both the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons.
Debate on embiid's American identity
Fans, analysts, and experts are consulting about how much we should actually consider Embiid an "American" with his dual or even triple nationality. On the other hand, his long stay here and his path to playing in the NBA could be considered proof of a strong tie that binds him within American culture.
Others, however, have questioned whether Embiid's choice to hold American citizenship was based more on potential utility, such as being able to play for the U.S. during international basketball competitions, than pure Americanness.
Sports sociologist Dr. Sarah Hillyer states: "There is no question that Embiid has endeared himself to the city of Philadelphia and earned a top spot among NBA stars." But given his complicated national origins, there will forever be an argument about the degree to which he fully counts as a real American.
The story of Joel Embiid leaving Cameroon and making it to the NBA is amazing. His impact on the court has made him one of the best players in the league, and his decision to naturalize as an American citizen only adds more intrigue when discussing international basketball.
While Embiid may legally be an American citizen, the discourse surrounding his "true" national identity lives on. In the end, though subject to debate and change, Embiid's national identity is a deep-rooted one that serves as a metaphor for many of the conundrums facing us all in tracing our connections back into history with modern-day realities.
SHOP Mystery Signed Memorabilia
-
Mystery Signed Football 8x10 Photo
- Regular price
- $29.99
- Regular price
-
- Sale price
- $29.99
- Unit price
- per
-
Mystery Signed Baseball Jersey
- Regular price
- $69.99
- Regular price
-
- Sale price
- $69.99
- Unit price
- per
-
Mystery Signed Football Jersey
- Regular price
- $69.99
- Regular price
-
- Sale price
- $69.99
- Unit price
- per
-
Mystery Signed Baseball 8x10 Photo
- Regular price
- $29.99
- Regular price
-
- Sale price
- $29.99
- Unit price
- per
LATEST
- NEWS
- |
- ARTICLES
- |
- VIDEOS
FAN ARCH PODCAST NETWORK
