Paris 2024: Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid ready to represent Team USA at Olympic Games after fitness concerns
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2024/09/16/image-4414b260-c386-47c6-af98-0a2675a5a091-68-310-310.jpeg)
Published 15/06/2024 at 18:48 GMT+1
Joel Embiid hobbled off in the playoffs to raise doubts about his participation for Team USA at the Olympic Games. But speaking at the ongoing NBA Finals, the 30-year-old made it clear that his recovery was well on schedule. Embiid decided in October he would represent the country of his son's birth, with France and Cameroon his other options.
Doncic stars again in NBA Finals with 29 points in blowout win v Celtics
Video credit: TNT Sports
Joel Embiid has revealed he is "doing great" as he bids to recover from injury in time to represent Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
The Philadelphia 76ers centre’s fitness was in doubt after missing the majority of the regular season, and he subsequently hobbled off in the playoffs with a knee problem.
But speaking at the NBA Finals before the Dallas Mavericks took on the Boston Celtics in Game 4, Embiid provided reassurance that he would recover in time for Paris.
“I’m doing great. Just getting ready for the Olympics,” said Embiid. “It’s going to be big for me because I’ve been dreaming about it since I was a kid.”
Team USA’s roster also includes two fellow centres in Miami’s Bam Adebayo and the Los Angeles Lakers’ Anthony Davis.
Born in Yaounde, Cameroon, Embiid was eligible to represent his native country as well as France who granted him citizenship in July 2022.
He was even selected to play for Cameroon at the 2017 FIBA AfroBasket, which he subsequently missed.
But the 30-year-old plumped for Team USA in October.
“For the past few years, every decision I’ve made has been based on just family,” Embiid announced at the time.
“My family, my son, and having the chance to represent a country like the U.S., with my son being born here.
“I love my home country, but I really wanted to play in the Olympics.”
- Dallas Mavericks keep series alive in style as Luka Doncic leads historic win over Boston Celtics
- Jerry West: Los Angeles Lakers legend and inspiration behind the NBA's iconic logo dies at the age of 86
- Joe Mazzulla compares Jayson Tatum to Brazilian star Neymar in face of media criticism after Game 2 of 2024 NBA Finals
The timely return to fitness of the six-time All-Star and three-time All-Defensive Team selection will be welcome news to head coach Steve Kerr.
Prospective Team USA selections, Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton and the Los Angeles Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard, both struggled with hamstring and knee injuries respectively during the NBA playoffs.
Four sets of basketball medals are up for grabs at the Olympics, with the 5-on-5 event held from July 27 at the Pierre Mauroy Stadium in Lille before heading to the Accor Arena in Paris for the final phase.
A concurrent 3x3 event at Place de la Concorde will run from July 30 to August 5.
---
discovery+ is the streaming home of the Olympic Games, and the only place you can watch every moment of Paris 2024 this summer.
Related Topics
Advertisement
Advertisement