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Less than a month ago Joel Embiid was sworn in as a citizen of the United States of America, Let’s have a closer look at Joel Embiid’s nationality.
Less than a month ago Joel Embiid was sworn in as a citizen of the United States of America. In an interview with the Associated Press, Embiid said that his girlfriend Anne De Paula and their son Arthur played a big part in the decision. The Joel Embiid nationality situation is interesting. He was born in Cameroon and lived there till the age of 16. Embiid then moved to America in pursuit of a career in the NBA.
So that means Embiid’s original nationality is that of Cameroon. Embiid graduated High School in Florida before playing one season at Kansas. The Philadelphia then drafted him 3rd overall in the 2014 NBA Draft 76ers. The reason that the Joel Embiid nationality issue is so interesting is because earlier this year he gained French Nationality.
The reason Embiid was gaining French nationality was to compete at the 2024 Olympics with the French team. This makes Joel Embiid’s nationality situation very interesting. He can now play for either the French or American Men’s basketball team.
Embiid will most likely end up playing for either France or USA. That is because they have a higher chance to compete for trophies than Cameroon. It is precisely for that reason that he applied for French nationality, to compete.
Joel has said that he is focused on winning an NBA championship with the 76ers right now. He will choose which team to play for at a later date. The reason that Embiid can still choose is because he has played none International basketball yet. This means that he can play for France or USA as a naturalized citizen.
But once Embiid makes that decision and gets his FIBA license, he won’t be able to change it.
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